Go vs Tolentino, on naturalization issue

THE issue on whether to allow all naturalized players, have been granted Filipino citizenship, to suit up and play as locals in the various teams in the country’s professional league, PBA. Is expected to be taken up by lawmakers both houses, Congress and Senate, when they come back from their holiday break.

Before the December break, the said issue was already filed in before the Senate by Senator Francis Tolentino, who chaired the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, seeking to amend the law, allowing the likes of Justine Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Andrei Blanth, Marcus Dougthit and Benny Boatwright, whose application is already filed by SBP since last year. All the said players have, one way or the other, played and represented the country in separate international competitions.

Senator Bong Go, who chaired the Committee on Youth and Sports Development, had different views. Though he agree on one point, that by allowing these players to play as locals could be beneficial to the league and raised the level of competitions. But Go expressed apprehension it could creat mismatches to other teams resulting to a lopsided contest and boredom.

Likewise, Go stressed that, we should upheld the law and if there’s going to be any amendments, we should discuss it thoroughly together with the stakeholders particularly the PBA, the Games and Amusement (GAB) and other concern entities.

Tolentino view this as rights and privileges of naturalized athletes to play as local. The good Senator also pointed out the valuable contributions to the country like the heroics of Justine Brownlee, who gave it all in helping the country end the 61-year gold medal drought during 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Go, on the other hand, urges the PBA, that there should be no “mismatch”and no monopoly of talents and they should be distributed to the lower rank teams at the end of the season to produce a semblance of balance and fair play for all the teams. The Davaoeño Senator even urged the naturalized players to play and represent the country, as their first choice.

Sports analysts have a positive views with regards to allow these players as locals, like in the case of Japan B-League, each teams have naturalized player as locals and played side by side along with two foreign imports and the result, it not only benefited the league in term of gate receipts, viewership, and corporate sponsorship. It also uplift the Japanese national team level of play as they gain a seat in last Olympics in Pars last year.

Another analyst also pointed out, it also serves as wake up call for the PBA. In last East Asia Super League (EASL) wherein the Meralco Voltz finally broke the league’s lackluster performance by winning over the Macau Blackbears, 97-85, through the efforts of Kouame, who teamed up with imports Allen Durham and T.J Kennedy. chipping 18, 17 and 15 points respectively. Gilas-Pilipinas swingman Chris Newsome topscored for the Voltz with 19 markers.

Though Meralco triumphs, but not for the high fancied San Miguel Beer, who went down to the Suwonk Super Sonics, 81-87. having only an import against the Super Sonics’ three foreign reinforcement.