Angara, Guiao bat for inclusion of additional naturalized players

SENATOR Sonny Angara, a staunch backer of education and sports who now works a key position for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as chairman, is one of those pushing for additional naturalized players in the country’s national teams.

Not just one but three players were suggested by Mr. Angara to be identified and allow the Philippines an opportunity to choose which among these players can be used in major international events.

“I think we need a pool so we are prepared for contingencies like injuries or other concerns etc. We will discuss who else might be brought into the Gilas fold,” Mr. Angara wrote in a text message to BusinessWorld.

Gilas Pilipinas just recently talked to naturalized candidate Greg Smith, import of Blackwater, just recently, and the NBA veteran agreed to play for the national team and be part of the squad’s long-term program.

At 26, Mr. Smith can play for the country until 2023.

Aside from Smith, the SBP will push for legislation the granting of Philippine citizenship for Kelly Hardeman, who was tapped to reinforce Perlas Pilipinas in future events.

Dioceldo Sy, head of Blackwater, which bankrolls the women’s national team program, has met with Butch Antonio, team manager of Gilas Pilipinas and executive vice-president for international affairs of the SBP, and they’ve reached an agreement to bring these two players on board.

“We’re looking to bring in Hardeman for the SEA Games this August,” Mr. Sy said.

Identifying the naturalized players is the first part of the grueling process, but the legislative procedure is more tedious, according to Yeng Guiao, head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors, who supported the bill that granted Philippine citizenship to Andray Blatche in 2014 when he was still the Representative of the first District of the province of Pampanga.

“The process of naturalization by legislation is a long one. It might take a year also so we need to fast-track it. I think the first step is you make the right choice of who you’re going to naturalize,” said Mr. Guiao.

Mr. Guiao also agreed with Senator Angara’s observation of getting additional naturalized players, especially now that Gilas is having difficulty getting Mr. Blatche on board.

Mr. Blatche has yet to join the Gilas Pilipinas practice with less than a week before the start of the SEABA Men’s Championship.

Two years ago, Mr. Blatche came in out of shape and the Philippines fell short of getting an outright berth to the Olympics, losing the gold medal game to China in the FIBA Asia Championship.

Mr. Guiao believes Mr. Blatche may not play for Gilas for long.

“I think the life span of naturalized players is three to five years, so if Andray has already played for three years, you need to start recruiting now. Other countries are also constantly recruiting naturalized players, so you need to keep up with them,” added Mr. Guiao. —