Douthit bids Gilas farewell

MANILA, Philippines – With sadness in his heart, Marcus Douthit, an American who has become as Filipino as adobo in a five-year stint as a Filipino naturalized player, accepts the reality he can’t be with the Gilas Pilipinas program forever.

He’s thankful with the Gilas journey that brought him practically all over the world.

“I just want to thank everyone for accepting me to represent such a great country. I will always be thankful!!! PUSO,” Douthit posted on his Twitter account @DouthitMarcus.

Teammates and fans, meanwhile, also expressed gratitude to the basketball warrior that was a big key in the Philippines’ return to the FIBA World Cup last year after 36 long years of wait.

“An amazing ride these last four years my brother. Thank you for all you’ve done for Philippine basketball,” said former Gilas skipper Jimmy Alapag on his own Twitter account @jalapag3.

To which Douthit replied: “Hey thanks for everything bro. I will ride and die with you anywhere forever my brothers.”

Messages of love and gratitude to Douthit flowed freely on social media after Douthit bid farewell, doing so following SBP’s announcement that they’re no longer extending the player’s contract upon it expiration on September.

Gilas Pilipinas has opted to tap in pro-bound Moala Tautuaa as their backup to Andray Blatche.

Douthit’s last tour of duty with the Philippine team was in the most recent SEA Games in Singapore. The former LA Laker draftee led Team Phl to a couple of SEAG championships and SEABA titles.

Spending the best years of his playing career with Gilas, Douthit and his Gilas teammates had their finest moment in August 2013 where they punched a ticket to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.