Douthit, Zheng naturalization starts as Puno sponsors bill

MANILA, Philippines—The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has applied for the naturalization of American Marcus Douthit and Chinese Zheng Xiaojing to boost the chances of two national teams. Antipolo City Rep. Roberto V. Puno acted as the SBP sponsor, filing House Bill No. 2307 that seeks to naturalize Douthit, who is being eyed to reinforce the RP five for the Guangzhou Asian Games in November and the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship in Beirut.

Puno also filed a separate bill to give Zheng Filipino citizenship. Zheng is being tapped for the women’s team that will participate in the Asean championship the country is hosting next month. The 6-foot-10 Douthit has played for Smart Gilas in two major tournaments and is playing in the ongoing Asian Basketball Association Invitationals in China. The 6-3 Zheng played for the Fujian team and has been training for the Discovery Perlas women’s squad for nearly two years. The initial hearing for both bills, which were referred to the House committee on justice, is scheduled tomorrow.