MALICK Diouf (second from left) and Elizabeth Means (second from right) smile after formally becoming naturalized Filipinos who are now eligible to represent the country in major international competitions.
Photograph courtesy of SBP
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After a lengthy naturalization process, Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means have finally acquired their Philippine passports, making them eligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in major international 3x3 tournaments.
The 27-year-old Diouf is no stranger to Filipino basketball fans after starring for the University of the Philippines (UP) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for two seasons.
The Dakar, Senegal native powered the Fighting Maroons to the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball title and was named the Season 85 Most Valuable Player, making him a perfect fit for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) 3x3 program.
Diouf also played for the Zamboanga Valientes last January and was nearly tapped by the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup to replace Bol Bol.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Means wasted no time making an impact, leading the Pilipinas Aguilas to the 3x3 BITL title in Bangkok last March. Together with Gilas Women veterans Mikka Cacho and Trina Guytingco, as well as Ateneo de Manila University guard Camille Malagar, the Aguilas swept all six tournament games, capped by a thrilling 14-12 victory over Singapore in the championship match.
Means is set to join a formidable women’s pool featuring Afril Bernardino and Kacey Dela Rosa, who recently made waves by upsetting world No. 11 Italy, 17-13, in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Poland.
Prior to Diouf and Means, the SBP successfully secured Filipino citizenship for American cagers Marcus Douthit, Andray Blatche, Justin Brownlee, and Jordan Clarkson, as well as Senegalese big man Ange Kouame.
However, another targeted Gilas Pilipinas reinforcement, Bennie Boatwright, has yet to complete his naturalization. House Bill 6639, the act granting him Philippine citizenship, is still awaiting its final transition into law after passing its third and final reading in the Senate. IVAN SUING
