This proposal, document number 4084, was introduced by Ruffy Biazon, aimed at strengthening the Philippine national team and enhancing its competitiveness in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Currently, a senator named Sonny Angara has also submitted a similar proposal to the upper house. If passed again, it will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III for signing, and the naturalization of Blatche will be officially confirmed, allowing this tall player to hold dual citizenship of the United States and the Philippines, enabling him to participate in the upcoming Basketball World Cup.
Blatche is a 2.11-meter tall power forward who was selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. This season, he played for the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 11.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in just over 22 minutes of playtime as a substitute.
The Philippines values Blatche's age in the naturalization process; he is currently only 27 years old, while the previous veteran center, Marcus Douthit, is already 33. Blatche is expected to take over Douthit's role and become the new pillar of the Philippine men's basketball team.
In fact, there was supposed to be another giant joining the Philippine men's basketball team, the previously naturalized JaVale McGee, but due to surgery after an injury, McGee is currently unable to participate in games.
