Welcome to the Philippine Team Andray Blatche!

The Senate approved on the third and final reading a bill granting Philippine citizenship to Brooklyn Nets big man Andray Blatche on Monday, May 26.

House Bill No. 4084, which was sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara, was approved with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstention.

Angara said the Blatche’s naturalization supports the country’s rise in the international basketball scene – a trend that should be sustained.

“Other countries, while ranking higher than the Philippines, have opted to take advantage of this naturalized-player rule, meant to equalize the world basketball landscape historically ruled by American and European countries, with great benefit,” Angara added.

Angara also noted Blatche’s willingness and desire to play for the Philippine team. The senator believes the center will have significant contributions to National Basketball team’s campaign in the FIBA World Cup this coming August.

Blatche averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the 2013-2014 NBA Season for the Nets.

He was a key part to the team’s playoff run after starting center Brook Lopez went down with a foot injury making him unavailable to compete for the rest of the season.

Asked by Philstar.com on what Blatche brings to the table, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh said Blatche “can help any team in the World Cup.”

“Andray’s a talented guy. He’s a natural scorer. As for defense, it’s all about effort. You put in the effort and you’re fine defensively,” said Bosh.

Blatche joins Dennis Still, Jeff Moore, Chip Engelland, and Marcus Douthit in the list of international players to become a naturalized Filipino citizen.

Douthit, naturalized in 2010, helped Gilas Pilipinas in various tournaments taking home the title in the 2010 Philippine Invitational Cup, 3rd place in the 2010 William Jones Cup, 2012 William Jones Cup Championship, and 2nd place in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

If approved, Blatche will be part of Gilas’ training pool where the final 12 players will be chosen to compete in the FIBA world championships on August 2014 in Spain.