Perlas naturalized prospect Hardeman to meet SBP execs

KELLY HARDEMAN, the naturalized prospect of Perlas Pilipinas, will be back in town in the next few days to meet with officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and start the grueling process of making her a part of the women’s national basketball team.

Dioceldo Sy, chief backer of the sponsoring Blackwater, told

BusinessWorld that he had talked to Ms. Hardeman just recently and was informed by the player that she is going to work as a faculty member of Faith Academy in Cainta.

This will give Ms. Hardeman much time to process the papers needed for her naturalization.

“Kelly’s grandfather is one of the founders of Faith Academy in Cainta. She will be teaching in the school while still awaiting a contract to play in Australia. But she remains committed to play for the Philippine team so we’re setting up a meeting with the SBP officials,” Mr. Sy said in a telephone interview.

Ms. Hardeman has long been identified by Perlas Pilipinas to become a naturalized player.

Born in the Philippines, Ms. Hardeman moved to the United States to join her family where she pursued her education before high school.

Due to technicalities, Ms. Hardeman can only come in as a naturalized player for Perlas Pilipinas as she obtained her passport only after she was 17 years old.

But Ms. Hardeman continuously expressed her desire to play, even joining the national women’s team when it competed in the Southeast Asian Games a few months ago as a supporter behind the bench. —