Reyes Wants Douthit to Replace Blatche in Asian Games

Manila (PNA) – With Andray Blatche out of Gilas Pilipinas’ lineup for 2014 Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas headcoach Chot Reyes said Marcus Douthit has to be in shape to reinforce the Philippines in the Asia’s quadrennial meet slated Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Incheon, South Korea.

”Gotta get Marcus in game shape, pronto,” Reyes said in a tweet.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) reportedly stood by with its earlier decision not to allow Blatche, a naturalized player like Douthit, due to three-year residency rule despite appeal from the Philippine sports officials led by Philippine chef de mission Ricardo Garcia.

The OCA made the decision despite the opinion of the FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, that Blatche should be allowed to play for Gilas Pilipinas.

Douthit played for the Gilas Pilipinas when it finished second in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup, sending the Philippines back to the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

In the FIBA World Cup, Blatche took over after he was granted Filipino citizenship early this year.

The Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) reportedly allowed the Gilas Pilipinas to field Douthit. (PNA) FPV/JFM