The bill concerning Justin Brownlee’s naturalization has been signed on its third and final reading in Congress, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature the only one missing.
This means that Brownlee will have a great chance of wearing the Gilas Pilipinas uniform in the coming 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May, when his naturalization papers will have been already signed.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino said that the opportunity for Brownlee to play for flag and country is getting better.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has included Brownlee in the Gilas roster, in a bid to reclaim the gold in men’s basketball in the biennial meet.
The Philippines lost the gold in after Indonesia, reinforced by former NBA player Marques Bolden, swept the cage tournament.
Tolentino said he will make sure to get a hold on the basketball rosters of other SEA countries to see whether they will be using naturalized players in the tournament.
“Titignan natin kung sino ‘yung ina-accredit ng Cambodia sa basketball para makapaghanda tayo,” said Tolentino. “Baka surpresahin na naman tayo sa Cambodia. Baka may ex-NBA player na naman.”
In the SEA Games, Cambodia organizers only require a passport to be eligible to play for a certain country.