Douthit standing by for Incheon stint

MANILA, Philippines -  Filipino sports officials are now trying to make sure that Marcus Douthit will be allowed to play for Gilas Pilipinas in case organizers of the Incheon Asian Games say no to Andray Blatche.

Richie Garcia, chef-de-mission of the Philippine contingent to Incheon, yesterday said they already forwarded to Incheon a late-replacement form for Douthit.

“So far, wala pang sagot (no reply),” said Garcia.

Douthit has been placed on standby in case Incheon organizers defy the FIBA stand that Blatche, who played for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup in Spain, should also be allowed to play in the Asian Games.

But those in Incheon seem firm that Blatche, an NBA player who became a naturalized Filipino only last June, failed to meet the three-year residency rule for naturalized players wanting to play in the Asian Games.

The Philippines forwarded to Incheon 12 names in basketball, and the reply was that only 11 were granted accreditation, minus Blatche.

Douthit is also a naturalized Filipino, and may be tapped for the Asian Games if needed – as a replacement.

Still, the priority is to make Blatche play in Incheon. Putting Douthit on the lineup is only the back-up plan.

“We’re now waiting for their answer to our two requests which are: first is the approval of Douthit as replacement and second the reinstatement of Andray Blatche as our naturalized player,” Garcia said.

If Incheon organizers say no to both requests, Gilas will be forced to field all-Filipino lineup of only 11 players.

“Mapipilitan tayo maglaro ng all-Filipino. Malaking disadvantage sa atin yun (It will be a disadvantage for us),” said Garcia, who leaves for Incheon on Wednesday.

The crucial DRM (delegation registration meeting) will take place Sept. 11 and 12 but Garcia is hoping for the decision on Blatche to come earlier than that.

“Maybe today or tomorrow meron na yan. I think the latest will be early next week, or before we leave for Korea on Wednesday,” he said.

The other day, Moying Martelino, a consultant with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said Incheon organizers should follow the FIBA directive to allow Blatche to play.

“FIBA na yan eh,” said Martelino, former secretary-general of the Asian Basketball Confederation. He knows the ins and outs of Asian basketball.

Garcia was counting on Martelino to be with him during the DRMs and lean on the latter’s expertise on basketball matters. But they got word that Martelino’s accreditation was also denied by Incheon organizers.

“Supposedly, he will be our consultant. He is very familiar with FIBA rules for being its long-time sec-gen. His knowledge will be very valuable to our appeal. Mahirap kasi kung ako lang, I’m not an expert on technical matters of Fiba, baka magkamali pa ako,” said Garcia.

“But his accreditation was denied. He cannot attend the DRMs. He will have to stay outside,” added the chef-de-mission, now working on a visa for Martelino so he could go to Incheon as an “ordinary citizen.”

“At least naka-standby siya at madali ko syang matatanong about Fiba’s technical rules,” said Garcia.