MANILA---Naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit and man-mountain Asi Taulava may just end up finally playing together for the Smart Gilas national team.

The 6-foot-10 Douthit practiced with the national five yesterday along with the 6-9 Taulava following a two-month vacation in the United States and coach Rajko Toroman said he plans to bring the two for the Dubai International tournament on Jan. 20-29.

The Nationals gained PBA permission to field Taulava in the last Asian Games and they will need the same approval from the pro league and the Meralco Bolts, Taulava’s mother ballclub.

Douthit was in the injury list when Taulava beefed up Smart Gilas in the Fiba Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut. Douthit also missed the Guangzhou Asiad with his naturalization papers still to be approved.

“Marcus gained maybe eight to 10 pounds,” said Smart Gilas assistant coach Allan Gregorio. Toroman said Douthit “should be back in shape in two weeks.”

The arrival of Douthit yesterday allowed Smart Gilas to train with an almost complete roster after skipper Chris Tiu, Dylan Ababou and Filipino-foreign players Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz finally joined the workout.

Only backup center Greg Slaughter was not around. He is expected to arrive from the United States on Jan. 9.

“I’m sick for three days so this is the first time I’m practicing again,” said Tiu.

After Dubai, Smart Gilas is looking to play in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in late February before preparing anew for the Fiba Asia Champions Cup in May.

“Playing in the PBA will be beneficial for Smart Gilas,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim. “It’s going to be a busy year again for the team.”

The team will also compete in the Jones Cup in August, a month prior to the culmination of the Smart Gilas program—the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship on Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China.

The Asian championship offers the lone continental slot to the 2012 London Olympics.

June Navarro, Phil. Daily Inquirer