Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has filed a bill seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to Nigerian-born Favour Ogechukwu Onoh.
Onoh, University of the Philippines women’s basketball team center, would be a valuable addition to the Gilas Pilipinas with her youth, tenacity and potential for further growth and development as a player.
Born in the Enugu state of Nigeria, Onoh only started playing basketball in secondary school but quickly developed her skills, so much so that she received offers to play in Italy and Japan.
Angara, chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), noted that the 18-year-old Onoh was dominant in her rookie year with UP, notching season averages of 10.07 points, 13.93 rebounds, 3.21 blocks, 1.29 steals and 1.21 assists per game on her way to bagging rookie of the year honors in the 86th Season of the UAAP.
She was also instrumental in leading the UP Fighting Maroons Women’s Basketball Team to a 3rd place finish, the squad’s first podium finish since 2008.
She was handpicked by Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Patrick Aquino. She currently holds the record for most rebounds in a game with 30.
“Favour Onoh would be a great addition to Gilas Pilipinas Women. We have high hopes about her contribution to the development of our women’s national basketball program and to our aspirations of taking part in the Olympics in the near future,” said Angara, in filing Senate Bill No. 2670.
Like the other naturalized players before her, Angara said Onoh has shown a strong desire to represent the Philippines in the global stage.