MANILA, Philippines — The coast is clear for Gilas Pilipinas to tap veteran center-forward Andray Blatche of the Brooklyn Nets for its campaigns in the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain in August and the Asian Games in September.
The Senate approved on third and final reading Monday a measure that will confer Filipino citizenship on Blatche, a 27-year-old 6-foot-11 who has expressed interest in playing for the national five.
“Blatche is possibly the best center from the NBA that we can get who is willing to shun more lucrative offers … just to be part of our national team,” said Sen. Sonny Angara, who chairs the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports and principal author of the Senate version of the measure.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved the naturalization of Blatche through the efforts of Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno.
After getting the go-signal from the Senate, the naturalization papers of Blatche will be forwarded to President Aquino for signing.
Fiba has set a July 15 deadline for naturalized players to submit eligibility requirements for the World Cup.
Angara acknowledged the support of his colleagues, particularly Senate justice committee chair Koko Pimentel III and majority floor leader Alan Peter Cayetano for the passage of Senate Bill 2108.
“This was indeed a total team effort on the part of the Senate,” said Angara. “Credit is due to both the majority and minority blocs for supporting this measure.”
Angara also thanked Senate President Franklin Drilon, Sen. Tito Sotto and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for backing Blatche’s naturalization.
“Having naturalized players is the rule in international competitions rather than an exception,” said Angara.
Blatche, the Washington Wizards second-round pick straight out of high school in the 2005 NBA draft, signed up with the Nets two years ago.
He is described as smooth inside operator with a silky touch from the perimeter.
Coach Chot Reyes steered Gilas, a PBA all-star side backed by naturalized center Marcus Douthit, to a silver-medal finish in the Fiba Asia Championship last year in Manila.
Blatche will join Gilas when it trains in the United States before the world tournament.
By placing second in the Fiba Asia, the Philippines qualified for the Worlds for the first time in 36 years. With a report from TJ Burgonio