American basketball player Justin Brownlee’s Philippine citizenship was approved at the Judiciary and Human Rights Commission level after less than two hours of deliberation on his eligibility on Monday, November 21, 2022. Brownlee, wearing a Barong Tagalog mask, answered questions from senators, sometimes among Filipinos. Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines— Justin Brownlee’s attempt to apply for Philippine citizenship passed the Senate on Monday, bringing the beloved Philippine Basketball Association closer to officially ending the national basketball program.
Obtaining 21 votes in favor without any abstentions, the Senate approved at its third and final reading — and without amendment — House Bill 6224 seeking to naturalize Brownlee.
Brownlee, two days after leading Barangay Ginebra to the semifinals at the Commissioner’s Cup, wore a long-sleeved Barong Tagalog shirt and held the Philippine flag in both hands shortly after announcing the decision.
The bill will now be forwarded to the Office of the President for signature into law.
Brownlee is in the spotlight to serve Gilas Pilipinas in future international events, especially the sixth and final match of the Fiba World Cup Asia Qualifiers, which will take the Team. The nation confronts hot-tempered Lebanon and vengeful Jordan in February next year.
A five-time PBA champion with Gin Kings and a two-time Best Import Award winner, Brownlee has long proven to this cage-crazed nation his caliber as a force to be reckoned with.
Born in Georgia, USA, Brownlee could join Ivory Coast NBA star Jordan Clarkson in Gilas’ active naturalized player pool.
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