SBP welcomes Justin Brownlee's naturalization

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for signing into law the House Bill granting naturalization for American player Justin Brownlee.

In a statement Friday night, Jan. 13, SBP president Al Panlilio said Brownlee’s naturalization is a welcome development for the national basketball team as they gear up for the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers slated next month.

Brownlee’s naturalization could mean he can be part of the Gilas lineup for the prestigious tournament.

The association also showed its gratitude for the people behind making this development possible.

“We also are grateful to the Senate, through Sen. Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and the House of Representatives, through Rep. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, chairman of the Committee on Justice, for their invaluable support in passing the legislative act,” the statement read.

Apart from the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Brownlee can also play in several regional tournaments like the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May.

The PH team is actually eager to regain the SEAG title it lost to Indonesia in the previous edition of the biennial meet held in Vietnam.