“Confidence. That’s it. Just confidence.”
This was the quick response of Blackwater Elite import Marcus Douthit on what his team currently lacks after another letdown, this time at the hands of the GlobalPort Batang Pier earlier as the Elite drop to a 1-5 slate.
For the naturalized Gilas center, his teammates have what it takes to win, but they hardly believe they can. The expansion team has lost two straight games since their first victory over Philippine Cup champions San Miguel.
“I think they look up to me. They look for confidence from me. They look for assurance from me and I have to make them play harder,” said Douthit. Knowing the niche of his team, the reinforcement just knows what to give his ‘little brothers’ on and off the court.
Douthit, among all other imports, has played longer with Filipinos for the national team that once participated as a guest team in the PBA in one conference. He has also played in some tune-ups and all-star celebrations before that have helped make him get used to the style of play in the country. He wanted to use this as an advantage for his squad.
“I just know how to deal with the refs and deal with how the way the game is going. I’ve been here (for a long time) so I kinda know how things were called. In a way that’s an advantage,” added Marcus.
For the future games, Douthit has one thing in mind. “I just have to keep encouraging them throughout the game. Even though we’re losing and they put their head down, I just have to make sure I keep them in the game.”
In their game against GlobalPort, Douthit shot a miserable 7-of-18 from the field. He amassed 17 boards but only three were from the offensive glass. Douthit’s team was beaten on the boards, 74-45. The Gilas mainstay knows it clearly and wants to do something about it in their remaining outings.
“I just got to work on making my shots and be more active in getting offensive rebounds. That’s what we definitely need. We got beaten pretty bad in the paint and rebounds, so that’s where I definitely have to help out,” ended the Gilas giant.
