Bills filed to naturalize NBA's JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche for Gilas Pilipinas

Ozymandias · **on:** January 30, 2014, 03:12:16 PM

Bills have been filed to naturalize NBA players JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche to become eligible for inclusion into the Philippine national men’s basketball pool.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes confirmed the development to News5 on Thursday, shortly before making a presentation before the PBA Board of Governors.

House Bill 3784 will take care of giving citizenship for McGee, while House Bill 3783 will do the same for Blatche. Both bills were filed by Antipolo City representative Robbie Puno.

This isn’t the first time a bill has been filed for McGee’s naturalization. In May 2012, Puno filed a similar bill in the previous Congress.

“Would love to represent the Philippines if given the chance,” McGee wrote on Twitter in January 2012.

A Gilas insider told InterAksyon.com in the past that the plan to tap McGee fell through because of the prohibitive amount for the player’s insurance policy — upwards of $1 million — apart from compensation for his services to play for the national squad.

But Gilas has since qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, underscoring the need to upgrade the talent on the team. The team currently employs Marcus Douthit as its naturalized player. Only one naturalized player is allowed to play for a team during FIBA tournaments.

Last August, Puno urged Congress to pass bills to naturalize two more players to be part of the Gilas training pool.

“I stand here today, to urge Congress to naturalize at the minimum two players identified by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for the national team that would serve as back up players to one another in case any one of them gets injured,” said Puno, who also authored the bill to naturalize Marcus Douthit.

“Thus, the Philippine national team avoids the inconvenience of jeopardizing the whole program in the event of an injury to any of our two naturalized players.”

McGee and Blatche were teammates with the Washington Wizards in the NBA. McGee is currently part of the Denver Nuggets, while Andray Blatche sees action for the Brooklyn Nets.

The 7-foot McGee was introduced to Filipino fans in the Ultimate All-Star Weekend in 2011, wowing the crowd with his extraordinary athleticism.

My Board · « **on:** January 30, 2014, 03:12:16 PM »

Zurca · **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2014, 03:07:37 PM

yep, for me ok yung athleticism ni McGee pero mejo sablay sa basketball iq (watch shaqtin' a fool aka JaVale McGee show lol) pero he is definitely an upgrade kay douthit. pero dapat magawan na agad ng paraan yan para makapagready na ang gilas for the world cup.

sugunoy · **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:03:46 AM

hahah, parati kong nakikita mga sblay ni mcgee, pero tingin ko he'd be an asset for gilas..

Sent from my laptop using the internetz.

My Board · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:03:46 AM »

tonistork · **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2014, 08:15:44 AM

Definitely. McGee talent-wise is an upgrade for Gilas naturalized player.

But Douthit is the consumate team player. At yon mahirap palitan. But Marcus is not getting any younger and he's often injured, so maybe it's time for a plan B.

Kaya lang pag si McGhee na, sana di sya toyoin at di nya nya mga antics nyang sablay.

.
For me sila ni JR Smith (NY Knicks) ang may pinaka-mababang basketball IQ sa NBA.

bsmoothie · **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2014, 09:05:07 AM

I'd rather go for Josh McRoberts... Can play bad boy defense (watch his Duke Days), could run up and down the floor like McGee, knows how to pass (thanks to the mere 5 asst per game average this NBA season and the deadliest among McGee, Blatche and Douthit from the outside... got range from perimeter up NBA 3 pt line... definitely can open up the floor for players like Tenorio, Aguilar, Pingris and Norwood...

My Board · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2014, 09:05:07 AM »

krimson38 · **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:09:14 AM

Blatche is an intriguing option, his career has gotten better ever since he joined the Nets. Not really sold on MCGee, especially since he's having surgery soon, and won't be fully healthy.

Zurca · **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:49:46 PM

oo nga no, injured pala sa McGee this season in Denver, parang mas better option nga si Blatche

crashtest · **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2014, 06:27:34 PM

They'll play a big part in our Gilas team. hopefully maayos agad para makapag-practice pa sila with the team.

Sent from my LT26ii using Tapatalk

Itachi101 · **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2014, 11:47:08 PM

di na pwede sa McGee
para sa akin kay douthit pa rin ako
dahil matagal na siyang part ng phi team
saka ito na ang last year niya national team
pang back lang naman si Blatche
kay Douthit kung ma injured siya
at least may reserve tayong import

My Board · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2014, 11:47:08 PM »