McGee to play for Gilas, Talk & Text?

[chua_riwap]

Kung di ma-resolve ang NBA lock-out & MacGee would TNT's import.....ibigay na ang trophy sa kanila.


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/10...ed-smart-gilas

McGee tapped for Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - If everything falls into place, Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have the Washington Wizards’ seven-foot center JaVale McGee as naturalized player for the next FIBA Asia championship.

McGee had been in the country twice in the last four months and, in his last visit, expressed willingness to be part of the Philippine team vying for a slot in the 2014 World Championship.

The STAR source said McGee and the Smart Gilas people have reached an agreement to pursue the same direction Marcus Douthit had gone through enabling the latter to play for the Phl team in the recent Asian joust in Tianjin, China.

“If ever, we will have a taller, younger naturalized player to match up with Hamed Haddadi, Yi Jianlian and the like,” The STAR source said.

Douthit, who led the Nationals to a fourth-place finish in Tianjin, became a naturalized Filipino through an act of Congress initiated by Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno.

The same lawmaker is likely to sponsor the bill for McGee.

The 23-year-old Flint, Michigan native is eligible to play as naturalized player for any country since he has never played for the US team.

McGee actually received invites to the US team’s mini camp in 2009 and 2010. He played in a scrimmage at Radio City Music Hall during the 2010 World Basketball Festival but failed to impress and was cut on Aug. 15, 2010.

He’s now connected with Smart-PLDT as product endorser.

He signed a contract with the telecommunication giant company only a few days back. While here, he had a meet-and-greet session with fans at the Jump Experience Center and graced a basketball clinic.

As Smart endorser, there’s also the possibility of McGee playing as import for Talk n Text in the PBA second conference if the NBA lockout is not resolved.

If ever, McGee banners Smart Gilas II that may again be a mix of good amateur talents and PBA stars.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA have been in touch, now laying the formula for the formation of the team.

Determined to sustain its gain in Asian basketball, SBP has made a bid to host the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

[tidus1203]

Hahaha so they need to "cheat" in order to win...

[rollyic]

Hahaha so they need to "cheat" in order to win...

there's nothing we can do....FILIPINOS love basketball

[chua_riwap]

bibitawan na kaya si douthit?

[chain]

sounds good though.

I spotted him at Republiq 2 Saturdays ago and couldn't believe it at first. grabe, ang tangkad! I'm 5'10" and nung tinabihan ko, yung jeans was at my chest level. damn.

people were coming up to him to have their picture taken with him. kaso ayaw niya.

[_Qwerty_]

may nag file na nang Bill..

Bill seeks to naturalize Denver ace for Gilas 5 - The Philippine Star » News » Sports

Bill seeks to naturalize Denver ace for Gilas 5

MANILA, Philippines - Determined in his effort to help boost the country’s standing in the international stage, Rep. Robbie Puno has filed a bill in Congress seeking to grant NBA player JaVale McGee Filipino citizenship that will enable him to play for Smart Gilas Pilipinas.

Puno, the Antipolo District I representative, filed at 6:45 p.m. Monday House Bill No. 6169 aimed at making the Denver Nugget center a naturalized Filipino.

Puno was also the one who worked for the naturalization of Marcus Douthit also through legislation (Republic Act 10148).

“This bill is in tune with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ new program maximizing the eligibility of a naturalized player, McGee being only 24 years old,” said Puno.

“With the approval of this bill, our country could have two naturalized players who would contribute effective development to the team. The two of them would practice against each other, and also would serve as backup player to each other in case any one of them gets injured,” Puno added.

“The addition of another naturalized player would ensure continuity in the program that was started with Marcus Douthit,” Puno also said.

Puno cited what the country has gained since Douthit’s addition in the Phl team.

He mentioned Smart Gilas’ fourth-place finish in the last Fiba Asia Championship, narrowly missing a spot in the World Olympic Qualifier. The outright spot to the Olympics went to tournament champion China.

Puno said he’s one with SBP in its bid to sustain the momentum of their strong 2009 Asian joust showing.

“It is for this purpose that this bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to JaVale McGee,” he said.

“Given his remarkable track record in the US pro league, McGee will no doubt be a great asset to our country if given a chance to play for the Philippine team. McGee is widely regarded as the only NBA player eligible for naturalization since majority of NBA centers have played for other national teams,” Puno also said.

“Finally, McGee has genuinely expressed his willingness to play for the Philippine team,” Puno added.

Puno hopes they can work on McGee’s naturalization in time for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship which serves as the qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

[shadow]

Is he willing to risk an injury playing for the gilas ir PBA? His NBA health insurance wont cover he get injured.

[shadow]

^nababarok ako, Sorry hirap mag type sa tablet...hehehe

[Altis6453]

Is it "cheating" when you naturalize an athlete? It's not as if it wasn't done before (i.e. Chip Engelland, Dennis Still, Jeff Moore, Ricardo Brown,etc.).

Other countries, AFAIK, have done the same --- including the US (i.e. Hakeem Olajuwon).