Puno backs SBP move to naturalize 7-foot McGee

MANILA, Philippines - Cong. Robbie Puno confirmed the other day he has started working on the possible naturalization of NBA player Javale McGee through legislation in an effort to help solidify the national team basketball program.

Puno, the Antipolo district I representative in Congress, is supporting Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in its bid to have the Denver Nuggets’ seven-foot center included in the Smart Gilas pool.

“We’ll try to have his naturalization ready for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. If not, the important thing is he eventually makes it and we have the option to field the best possible players,” Puno told The STAR.

“Yes, Marcus Douthit is there. But we have to be ready for any eventuality. He’s 31 and if he gets injured, the whole problem collapses,” Puno added.

Puno, the same legislator who sponsored the bill making Douthit a naturalized Filipino, said he’s about to file the bill for McGee’s case.

“It’s not yet filed but we’ve started working on it by talking to our peers. I’ve had a conversation with the Speaker (Sonny Belmonte) and I explained the rationale. He said: ‘I understand your intention, let me think about it then we talk again,’” said Puno.

Puno said naturalization through legislation is a tedious process, which in the case of Douthit took two years to finish.

Still, Puno said it’s the easier way compared to administrative and through the courts which both require residency.

Puno also mentioned the odds. “At the time I filed the bill for Douthit, a total of 32 was filed. Only eight out of that have been approved.”

The good Antipolo lawmaker, however, promised he would try for McGee to be naturalized before the 2013 Asian meet which serves as the regional qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

McGee expressed interest to play for the Philippines after seeing the country and the Filipino people when he joined a group of NBA stars who played Smart Gilas Pilipinas in an exhibition match last year.

He returned later to sign a contract as Smart product endorser.

He’s eligible to play for the Philippines, or any other national team, as he’s yet to represent any country in FIBA tourneys.

He received invitations to the US national team camp in 2009 and 2010 but failed to make the roster.

The Flint, Michigan native, 24, was the Washington Wizards’ No. 18 pick overall in 2008 out of University of Nevada in Reno.

He dreams to play in the Olympics and/or the world championship, hoping to realize this with the Philippine team.