The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is keeping its fingers crossed, hoping that Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means would get naturalized within this year to help Gilas Pilipinas make a historic appearance in the 3x3 competition of the Los Angeles Olympics.

SBP executive director Erika Dy said they are hoping for a quick resolution on the application for naturalization of both Diouf and Means, who are being eyed to represent the country in its bid to qualify for the Summer Games in the United States in 2028.

Together with another naturalization candidate in Bennie Boatwright, Diouf and Means faced the members of the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday to signify their intention to become naturalized Filipinos.

The hearing took a light turn when Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren — a former basketball coach — asked the applicants to sing the national anthem and recite the patriotic oath to show their willingness to embrace Filipino citizenship.

Dy, whose older brother Rep. Mike Dy of Isabela stands as the principal author of House Bill (HB) 05899 for Diouf, HB04401 for Boatwright and HD05813 for Means, said she is very optimistic over the speedy approval of their respective applications.  

“The hard part is over. All papers are complete and were already submitted. It’s just a matter of Congress passing it,” Dy said in a message to DAILY TRIBUNE on Wednesday.  

“Hopefully, (the approval) will not take long,”

Chance of having the three cagers getting their Filipino passports before the year ends looks good. Upon the approval of the deliberation, the bill will undergo three readings in the Lower House before it passes to the Upper House for another three rounds of deliberation.

Then, it will be scrutinized by the bicameral conference committee before landing on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ desk for final approval.

Dy, the niece of House Speaker Bojie Dy of Isabela, said they are hoping that the entire process will be completed before the House of Representatives goes on recess on 17 December.

After all, the qualifying window for 3x3 events of the LA Olympics will be from December 2025 to December 2027, where only 24 of the world’s best men and women 3x3 squads will be given slots in the tourney that will be held from 16 to 22 July 2028 at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in Los Angeles.

“We need (to naturalize) Malik and Means this year if we want them to play in the Olympics since they’re applying 3x3 rules,” Dy said.

“They (lawmakers) assured us that it’s possible. Let’s just hope and pray.”

The 6-foot-10 Senegalese, Diouf, is expected to have a smooth sailing towards naturalization. After all, he has been in the country for quite some time after studying at Centro Escolar University before transferring to the country’s state university — University of the Philippines — where he emerged as Most Valuable Player in Seasons 84 and 85 University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Like Diouf, the 6-foot-10 Boatwright had also played in the domestic league as he powered San Miguel Beer in the Commissioner’s Cup in 2023. The American is currently playing in Taiwan but remains firm on his willingness to replace Justin Brownlee as Gilas Pilipinas reinforcement in major international 5x5 events.

On the contrary, Means has yet to see action in the country as she played professionally in Ecuador after finishing her US National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II campaign with Westminster University.