Chot assures Blatche’s commitment

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas national basketball team coach Chot Reyes assured the Congress Justice Committee of Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche’s commitment to play for the country and desire to become a Filipino naturalized citizen during a meeting to tackle House Bill No. 3783 authored by Rep. Robbie Puno of Antipolo City at the Batasan in Quezon City the other day.

A proposal to naturalize Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee, under House Bill No. 3784, was withdrawn to prioritize Blatche’s application.

Reyes, assistant coach Joseph Uichico, team manager Aboy Castro and naturalized player Marcus Douthit attended the Committee meeting which also took up House Bill No. 2342 on boxing referee Bruce McTavish’s naturalization authored by Rep. Yeng Guiao (1st District, Pampanga).

Committee chairman Rep. Neil Tupas, Jr. (5th District, Iloilo) explained that naturalization may be granted under the law through judicial means as defined by Commonwealth Act No. 473, administrative means as defined by R. A. No. 9129 and a direct act of Congress. Tupas said for Congress to approve naturalization, it must be established that the applicant will significantly contribute to national patrimony and must express a desire to embrace Filipino culture and traditions.

Blatche was not present at the meeting because the NBA season is ongoing but Reyes vouched for his commitment to play for the country. “I spoke with Andray during the recent NBA break and only yesterday, I was on the phone with his agent,” said Reyes. “Andray can be here as early as June 15. He’s ready to forego his offseason rest. It’s almost impossible to find an NBA player averaging 12 points a game willing to become a Filipino and play for our country. Will he play with ‘puso’ and jell with our team? We’ll only find out when he gets here. The proof of the pudding is in the playing. But I think Andray is the type of player who’ll make us proud.”

Guiao said Blatche’s commitment to play for the Philippines is an expression of his desire to become a Filipino. “The practice of naturalizing players is being done internationally,” he said. “Andray’s willingness to play for Gilas is an indication of his desire. I was the national coach in 2009 and we were not privileged with a naturalized player. We didn’t do as well in Tianjin as we did with Marcus in the next two FIBA-Asia Championships. There is a real need to bring in a naturalized player. The fact that Andray is sacrificing his NBA career to play for us at the risk of injury is significant. Still, this is a step in transition because it may not be necessary in the future to naturalize players if our players like JuneMar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter improve in time. We need to balance this need with desire. There is no reason to doubt Andray’s desire to become a Filipino with coach Chot’s assurance.”

Guiao said he’s backing up Puno’s bill because at the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games, Blatche could be the last piece in the puzzle. “This isn’t to diminish our Filipino talents,” he said. “We know that heart is Gilas’ driving force, given the talent and skills. But in basketball, it’s important to have size and height. That’s why we’re not recruiting point guards or small forwards but centers. Our coaching staff has the technical knowhow to get the job done. What we need is a player like Andray to make us more competitive internationally.”

Reyes said Blatche has made himself available for Gilas to play at the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14 and the Asian Games in Incheon on Sept. 19-Oct. 4. Reyes will choose between Blatche and Douthit as Gilas’ naturalized player.

Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo (2nd District, Valenzuela City) said since Blatche is unable to appear before the Committee and Congress, he could manifest his intent and desire to become a Filipino at the Philippine Consulate in New York City or any other Philippine foreign service office. Puno’s bill was approved by the Committee on condition that Blatche makes the manifestation.  Rep. Rodel Batocabe (AKO BICOL partylist) moved for the approval and Rep. Emil Ong (2nd District, Northern Samar) seconded.

Puno said if Blatche is able to comply with the Committee’s requirement by today, the bill may be brought to Congress on third reading as early as this Monday. It was approved on second reading by the House after the conditional Committee endorsement late that same day. The Senate counterpart bill will also undergo the same process of first, second and third reading.

Rep. Sherwin Tugna (CIBAC partylist) said necessity is a valid ground to grand citizenship through legislation. “My reservation is not about the bill but the conduct of a would-be naturalized citizen,” he said. “I think we were proven correct with Marcus’ naturalization as he’s a good team player, he blends well and has embraced the culture and life of a Filipino. I was on a plane once and saw Marcus with his children. I found him to be humble. I saw him take good care of his children who study in the Philippines. Marcus is a fine example of an athlete who became a Filipino to bring honor to our country and pride to our countrymen.”

Puno’s bill was co-authored with Guiao and Rep. Henry Cojuangco (1st District, Tarlac). A counterpart bill No. 2108 for Blatche’s naturalization has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.