Menk cleared to play in PBA
July 27, 2001 | 12:00am
After a long, lonely wait, Fil-Am cager Eric Menk got a clearance to make a return stint in the Philippine Basketball Association as his request for recognition as a Filipino citizen was affirmed by the Department of Justice Wednesday.
No less than Justice Secretary Hernando Perez signed the confirmation paper, superseding earlier orders by the department which denied the marquee player's application for Filipino citizenship.
Original records and additional documents submitted by Menk "satisfactorily establish that applicant was born in Michigan on Aug. 24, 1974, the legitimate child of spouses Lucia Ramasasa Padua, a natural-born Filipino citizen, and Albert C. Menk Jr., an American national," according to the DOJ endorsement.
Among the additional documents presented were the baptismal certificate of Lucia R. Padua, certificate of registration as a voter of Lucia P. Menk, certificate of non-availability of Menks maternal grandfather Eutemio Algario and joint affidavit of relatives Aurea G. Tanauan, Demetria Algario and Ponciano Algario.
This development cleared the way for the re-entry of Menk in the PBA although he will still have to wait for the third conference to be able to don the Tanduay jersey again. The PBA Commissioners Office said deadline of changes in the lineups of players in the ongoing Commissioners Cup was the end of the elimination round.
At presstime, Tanduay officials were drafting a letter, appealing to the Commissioners Office that Menk be allowed to play in their crucial game versus the Purefoods Hotdogs today at the Philsports Arena.
Menk personally delivered the DOJ document to the Commissioners Office at noon yesterday. He said: "Im glad I finally have proof of my Filipino citizenship. I would like to play for my team tomorrow (today) but all I can do is root for it. I have to follow the rules."
The DOJs affirmation of Menks citizenship drew positive reaction from the PBA community.
"Were glad that Eric has obtained his papers from the DOJ. Though its unfortunate that he wouldnt be able to play tomorrow (today), we are sure that the league, Tanduay and Menk himself can look at the future with optimism," said acting PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.
"Eric Menks return is a big boost to the team. He will definitely be a big help because well now be having a legitimate inside threat," said Tanduay coach Derrick Pumaren.
"Were appealing to the PBA to let Eric play in our game against Purefoods. Well wait and hope that our appeal be granted. But whatever happens, the team is happy that Eric finally got the affirmation we long sought," he added. (With report from Joey Villar)
No less than Justice Secretary Hernando Perez signed the confirmation paper, superseding earlier orders by the department which denied the marquee player's application for Filipino citizenship.
Original records and additional documents submitted by Menk "satisfactorily establish that applicant was born in Michigan on Aug. 24, 1974, the legitimate child of spouses Lucia Ramasasa Padua, a natural-born Filipino citizen, and Albert C. Menk Jr., an American national," according to the DOJ endorsement.
Among the additional documents presented were the baptismal certificate of Lucia R. Padua, certificate of registration as a voter of Lucia P. Menk, certificate of non-availability of Menks maternal grandfather Eutemio Algario and joint affidavit of relatives Aurea G. Tanauan, Demetria Algario and Ponciano Algario.
This development cleared the way for the re-entry of Menk in the PBA although he will still have to wait for the third conference to be able to don the Tanduay jersey again. The PBA Commissioners Office said deadline of changes in the lineups of players in the ongoing Commissioners Cup was the end of the elimination round.
At presstime, Tanduay officials were drafting a letter, appealing to the Commissioners Office that Menk be allowed to play in their crucial game versus the Purefoods Hotdogs today at the Philsports Arena.
Menk personally delivered the DOJ document to the Commissioners Office at noon yesterday. He said: "Im glad I finally have proof of my Filipino citizenship. I would like to play for my team tomorrow (today) but all I can do is root for it. I have to follow the rules."
The DOJs affirmation of Menks citizenship drew positive reaction from the PBA community.
"Were glad that Eric has obtained his papers from the DOJ. Though its unfortunate that he wouldnt be able to play tomorrow (today), we are sure that the league, Tanduay and Menk himself can look at the future with optimism," said acting PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.
"Eric Menks return is a big boost to the team. He will definitely be a big help because well now be having a legitimate inside threat," said Tanduay coach Derrick Pumaren.
"Were appealing to the PBA to let Eric play in our game against Purefoods. Well wait and hope that our appeal be granted. But whatever happens, the team is happy that Eric finally got the affirmation we long sought," he added. (With report from Joey Villar)
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