The timing couldn’t be better for Gilas Pilipinas, as the naturalization bids of former PBA champion Bennie Boatwright, UAAP Finals MVP Malick Diouf, and NCAA Division II cager Elizabeth Means are underway.
The ball is officially rolling on the naturalization bid of former PBA champion import Bennie Boatwright.
Boatwright—who powered the San Miguel Beermen to the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title—appeared before the House of Representatives alongside fellow naturalization candidates Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means to formally begin their respective citizenship processes.
The proposed measures—House Bill 05899 for Diouf, House Bill 04401 for Boatwright, and House Bill 05813 for Means—were all filed by House Speaker and Isabela Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.
They are expected to return for a series of committee hearings in the Lower House as the measures move forward.
Boatwright is currently suiting up for the Taipei Fubon Braves in the P. League+, marking a promising step in his comeback after rupturing his Achilles last year.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright to attend hearing on naturalization]
During his stint with the Beermen, Boatwright posted monster averages of 30.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while hitting 35.1% from deep.
Diouf, on the other hand, carved his legacy in collegiate basketball as the UAAP Season 85 MVP and a foundational piece of the UP Fighting Maroons’ 2022 title team, where he also earned Finals MVP honors.
Once finalized, the two players are set to strengthen the pool of naturalized Gilas members, joining the ranks of Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.
[ALSO READ: Justin Brownlee leads expanded Gilas Pilipinas pool for FIBA World Cup qualifiers]
Means completed her NCAA Division II career at Westminster University and is coming off her first professional season in Ecuador, where she averaged 10.2 points and 10.8 rebounds.
She will also bolster Gilas Women once she completes the naturalization process.
Once all three bills clear the House, the proposed legislations will be forwarded to the Senate
After securing Senate approval, the measures will be transmitted to the Office of the President for final sign-off before they can officially become law.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.