THE Senate on Monday passed a bill seeking the naturalization of American basketball player Justin Brownlee—a development that moved the resident Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import closer to becoming eligible to play for the men’s national team.
The Committee on Justice and Human Rights passed the bill after less than two hours of deliberations on the qualifications of Brownlee, who attended the hearing wearing a Barong Tagalog and answering queries from senators sometimes in Filipino.
“The approval of the bill makes us one step closer from having our own dream team,” Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa, author of Senate Bill No. 1336 or An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship to Brownlee, said. “This will surely stimulate every Filipino fan’s enthusiastic spirit.”
Dela Rosa said the bill will grant Brownlee, a two-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Import, a Philippine citizenship to enable him to represent the country in future international competitions.
“There’s a saying, ‘teamwork makes the dream work,’” de la Rosa said. “The proposed measure is our contribution to the collective efforts to achieve our dream of regaining the top spot in the Southeast Asian Games and winning other international tournaments such as the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) World Cup.”
Senator Sonny Angara, who’s also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, supported Brownlee’s naturalization. He filed Senate Bill 1516 which seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to Brownlee, who’s been in and out of the country for five years playing as an import for the Gin Kings.
“I just want to lend my support to the bills already discussed and filed by our colleagues…my colleagues have always been discussing in the Senate lounge on how they can help the country’s basketball program,” Angara said.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Brownlee can bring basketball glory to the country, adding he has shown love, respect and admiration for the Filipino people, especially his fans since his arrival in the country in 2016.
“Justin Brownlee will be a Filipino who can bring glory to our country and give excitement and hope to Filipinos anywhere in the world,” Villanueva said.
Sports Committee chair Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he co-authored Senate Bill No. 1336 to signify his support for the basketball player.
“Brownlee came to the Philippines in 2016 with only one thing in mind: to play basketball,” Go said. “His incredible skills in the court have garnered him admiration from his coaches, teammates and basketball fans.”
Gilas Pilipinas had at least two naturalized players in the past—National Basketball Association veterans Marcus Douthit and Andre Blatche.
Image credits: Senate PRIB photo