In defense of naturalization in PH hoops

MANILA, Philippines – Since news broke out that Javale McGee and Andray Blatche are being heavily considered as naturalization candidates to supplant the ultra-professional Marcus Douthit, I only prepared for one thing and one thing alone: “Filipinos” wanting an All-Filipino lineup and no import.

”Dapat lahat Pilipino, wag na import.” It’s what pops used to say. And still does, much to my disappointment. We’re fielding an All-Filipino team already. What’s with all the fuzz? Naturalized Pinoy you say? I can make a case that the naturalized Filipino is more a Filipino than you, and that there is no need to sneer at the mere mention of it.

What makes a Filipino? Who is a Filipino? Does it have to be within the bounds of Jus sanguinis or Jus soli to say that you are of a certain ethnicity? Or, should it reside in one’s heart that he or she would embrace the flag and culture until his dying breath? A mixture of both, perhaps? Because, as far as my experiences tell me, your ethnicity, your blood, your nationality is more than being born of this country, more than being born to a pair of Filipino parents. It should be the fire in your veins, the fire in your belly that wants to make a mark on the world as someone who bears the country’s name and flag. It’s more of the heart than the blood itself.

Marcus Douthit is a Filipino.

Why still deride his status as that of an import? I’m pretty sure you guys were cheering for him madly during those 11 euphoric days in August. I’m pretty sure you guys were thankful whenever Kuya Marcus successfully protects the rim as Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo and Japeth Aguilar were busy in their areas. I’m pretty sure you lot are thankful that, in a way, Douthit took June Mar Fajardo under his wings and taught him a trick or two.

Why sneer about naturalization?

The mere mention of “dapat lahat Pilipino” is itself an act of disrespect and hate towards Douthit and whoever is our next naturalization candidate. The big guy from Providence (same school as Purefoods’ former import Derrick Brown) has sacrificed a lot in coming down here from the great U-S- of-A. He willingly accepted being part of this country. Being a Filipino. He worked through one leg just to give us the silver in the last FIBA Asia joust because he knows how much it means to us, to the country.

 If you still want to ridicule him, then you are an absolute hater and a caveman for being ignorant about these things.

Globalization is a part of the world. The way we continue to push it away, the more it makes us look like North Korea. Why are we hell bent on putting up walls around our country from people of different nationalities that want to play in our land, for us? We all know what happened to Japan when they closed off themselves for a century or more. We all know what is going with North Korea. Regression. Stone age.

Also, doesn’t it make us seem like an ungrateful bunch when we brand Douthit, or any other candidate, as imports? Here they are, ready to realize an NBA dream – or are already living in it in the case of McGee and Blatche – yet they still want to agree to be naturalized citizens of an island country. I could not call it paradise given our welcome of such people, and carry PILIPINAS on their chests. The fee or allowance might have been hefty, but in return for glory? Who wouldn’t want that?

And please, don’t get me started on the cheating part. Naturalization is not and will never be a form of cheating. If you say cheating, I dare you to tell USA that the Dream Team of 1992 was a fraud because of naturalization. I dare you to tell Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing and Tim Duncan that they are imported by the USA. I dare you to tell off Spain, who won the Euros some years back, that naturalizing Serge Ibaka of Congo is no fair. I dare you to tell off Putin and Russia that JR Holden is a form of cheat to win the basketball floor.

The only thing I’m worrying about if and when Blatche or McGee gets their citizenship is this: it won’t be long before we have a Shaqtin A Fool FIBA Edition and we’re starring in it.

Well, it’s better than dealing with critics who can’t appreciate what Kuya Marcus has done and will continue to do.

Shame on them, and I better start educating pops about it.

Send your letters of complaint, protest and blind hate to @PioVGarcia.