House Deputy Speaker Rep. Mikee Romero said on Tuesday that he is urging the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to furnish NBA-caliber names as candidates for naturalization.
Romero, the 1-Pacman partylist congressman, added that he requested through SBP Vice Chairman Rep. Robbie Puno to furnish five names, so that the process will be streamlined along with the first two nominees.
The longtime sportsman-turned-solon added that he hopes the names that the SBP will submit are of great talent.
Currently, Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee and Ateneo big man Angelo Kouame's naturalization bills have already been filed and are pending approval into law.
"It's a challenge to them to name five players that can be naturalized. Not only Kouame and Brownlee. We need to elevate it to NBA-caliber players because that's what we need," Romero explained during the PSA Forum webcast.
Aside from Brownlee and Kouame, former NBA first round draft pick Chris McCollough had expressed his desire to become Gilas' import. However, no bill sponsoring his naturalization have been filed yet.
Romero cited that the process of naturalizing at least five players would give Gilas a wide selection based on need at any given time. Moreover, approving all five at the same time would be quicker instead of deliberating on them individually.
The 48-year-old lawmaker also provided an update regarding Brownlee's bill, House Bill 8106, which he filed in 2018.
Brownlee, said Romero, is currently in the United States, and has not yet returned to the Philippines in order to process his papers.
"One part of the requirements is to submit a certified true copy of the birth certificate, his oath [to the Philippines]. He has not yet completed them since he's not in the country," mentioned Romero.