MANILA, Philippines - Determined in his effort to help boost the country’s standing in the international stage, Rep. Robbie Puno has filed a bill in Congress seeking to grant NBA player JaVale McGee Filipino citizenship that will enable him to play for Smart Gilas Pilipinas.
Puno, the Antipolo District I representative, filed at 6:45 p.m. Monday House Bill No. 6169 aimed at making the Denver Nugget center a naturalized Filipino.
Puno was also the one who worked for the naturalization of Marcus Douthit also through legislation (Republic Act 1014
.
“This bill is in tune with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ new program maximizing the eligibility of a naturalized player, McGee being only 24 years old,” said Puno.
“With the approval of this bill, our country could have two naturalized players who would contribute effective development to the team. The two of them would practice against each other, and also would serve as backup player to each other in case any one of them gets injured,” Puno added.
“The addition of another naturalized player would ensure continuity in the program that was started with Marcus Douthit,” Puno also said.
Puno cited what the country has gained since Douthit’s addition in the Phl team.
He mentioned Smart Gilas’ fourth-place finish in the last Fiba Asia Championship, narrowly missing a spot in the World Olympic Qualifier. The outright spot to the Olympics went to tournament champion China.
Puno said he’s one with SBP in its bid to sustain the momentum of their strong 2009 Asian joust showing.
“It is for this purpose that this bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to JaVale McGee,” he said.
“Given his remarkable track record in the US pro league, McGee will no doubt be a great asset to our country if given a chance to play for the Philippine team. McGee is widely regarded as the only NBA player eligible for naturalization since majority of NBA centers have played for other national teams,” Puno also said.
“Finally, McGee has genuinely expressed his willingness to play for the Philippine team,” Puno added.
Puno hopes they can work on McGee’s naturalization in time for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship which serves as the qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Salud said he will ask Talk n Text players Japeth Aguilar and Ranidel de Ocampo to explain their absence in the recent PBA All Star Game in Laoag.
“I will write them a letter tomorrow (today) and ask to explain in writing why they were not there and why they shouldn’t be sanctioned,” said Salud.
“They should know their responsibilities, but due process will be observed,” Salud added.
Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams, Larry Fonacier and Jason Castro are excused since they notified the Commissioner’s Office of their absence beforehand.
Not one Talk n Text player or personality appeared in the Laoag festivities, an incident that created impression that the Tropang Texters had boycotted the affair.
Talk n Text officials insisted, though, that that was not the case even as they didn’t hide disappointment on officiating in the deciding Game Seven of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Bill seeks to naturalize Denver ace for Gilas 5
Originally Posted by cobraKing
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