For NLEX Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao, the naturalization process of Justin Brownlee will be done by the end of the year should the Congress start the process right now.
Many fans were excited for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star import’s naturalization from the moment news broke that Brownlee himself wanted to be a Filipino citizen.
Brownlee has been enjoying his life in the Philippines, as he has collected three PBA titles and a Best Import plum.
“Next year pa yun eh. Palagay ko yung Congress ngayon, kaya na gawin yun. Hindi na kailangan akong nandon. Pwedeng-pwede, kayang kaya na nilang gawin iyon,” said the congressman.
“So, kung papalarin tayo at andon pa rin yun, siyempre tutulong akong mag-push nun kung hindi pa rin tapos,” he added.
“Pero my guess is if they push for it now, matatapos yan ngayon.”
There has been a clamor among fans saying that Brownlee would be a great fit to the national team should Blatche no longer be included in future Gilas rosters.
Regarding Blatche, Guiao said that he and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have yet to sit down and discuss the former NBA player’s future with the Gilas program.
“Wala pa. Wala pa kaming pinag-usapan regarding Blatche,” said Guiao.
Asked if there are other prospects for naturalization, the decorated bench tactician said that that matter, too, has yet to be talked about by him and the powers-that-be.
“Wala pa. Wala pa iyon.”
