Justin Brownlee— PBA IMAGES
Having been seeded by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) to a foreign country to compete here in next year’s World Cup, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) didn’t have to think twice.
And it seems the same is true of the Senate when it comes to Justin Brownlee’s naturalization proposal.
SBP has selected Team USA as one of the teams that will compete here in the group stage of the Fiba World Cup that will also be partially hosted by Japan and Indonesia, a decision that is not only best for the basketball-mad population. but also the most commercially viable for an event where organizers could end up paying around P1 billion in local costs.
“If I’m not mistaken, we are the second largest NBA (National Basketball Association) market [in Asia] behind China,” SBP president Al Panlilio told the Inquirer on Monday.
Team USA will play all of its matches in the Philippines starting with the qualifiers, so that the heaviest draw in the 32-nation meeting takes place in front of a Filipino audience.
And to maximize that, telecom giant Smart will feature every Team USA game in its Smart Live Streaming App to ensure that local basketball fans will have a seat. head—live or virtual—to see what could be a collection of NBA stars dueling for World Cup glory.
With Fiba granting each host country the choice of whichever country they wish to compete in in their respective arenas, Japan has chosen Slovenia, which will be led by the multi-talented Luka Doncic. Indonesia has chosen Canada, where it is possible to have Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State.
“We are honored that Team USA will play a minimum of five games or a maximum of eight [here],” said Panlilio. “It will be a gift for Filipino fans. Once in your life [chance].”
There is no obstacle
This development comes on the same day that the Senate approved the naturalization of Justin Brownlee without a hitch, practically to ensure that Barangay Ginebra, 34, import in the Philippine Basketball Association would have could support Gilas Pilipinas in the final qualifying window in February.
“SBP is grateful for this development,” said Panlilio. “We thank both the Senate and the Congress—led by Senate President Migz Zubiri and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez. And thanks to Senator Sonny Angara and Deputy Speaker Robbie Puno, [with] special thanks to Senators Francis Tolentino, Joel Villanueva, Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, Mark Villar, Congressman Mikee Romero and Judge Juliet Ferrer for their push [for] naturalization process.”
Although Gilas is expected to be led by Jordan Clarkson in the main event, Brownlee’s naturalization in February will create another box office draw.
With the Senate’s swift approval of Brownlee’s citizenship, all it took to make things official was President Marcos’ signature.
“Your citizenship was given to you very quickly because of the need to have a very good player in the Philippine national team. But you are being given the responsibility, sir, to have full civil and political rights as a Filipino. Keep that in mind,” Zubiri told Brownlee, who appeared before the Senators in a “barong” tagalog.
Brownlee raised the Philippine flag after the vote ended.
“The future of Philippine basketball is at stake, and this Chamber has the opportunity to make the decisive shot. Do we take the glorious chance or do we pass? I said we’ll do it all,” Sen. Dela Rosa said. “Never say die.”
The Philippines, as the main host, will be placed in Group 1 in the official draw, along with the top-ranked teams after the final qualifying round. That means the Filipinos won’t get to play against Team USA unless they make it to the knockout stages.
The draw will be held in Manila on April 29.
Next year’s event will mark the second time in World Cup history that 32 nations have participated.
The two venues will host four groups in Manila in the qualifying round with the KO stages to take place at the Philippine Gymnasium in Bulacan province, which can accommodate 53,000 fans.
—With a report from Marlon Ramos INQ
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