Last week, the House of Representatives quietly passed on second reading a bill that allows an American playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) to become a naturalized Filipino.

If it finally hurdles Congress, House Bill 4084 will make 6-foot-11 Andray Blatche, who plays center for the Brooklyn Nets, eligible to join Smart Gilas Pilipinas when the national team plays in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Madrid in August.

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