The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was quick to apologize after the naturalization process of imports Justin Brownlee and Cameron Oliver has yet to roll as revealed by Sen. Francis Tolentino during the Senate Committee of Finance deliberation on the proposed 2023 budget for the Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusement Board on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Cameron Oliver of TNT and Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra (PBA Images)

Tolentino, who chaired the Senate Committee on Justice which will hold the hearing for the naturalization, said that the Senate and the Congress have yet to receive any documents from that SBP that would begin the process.

“We’ve been hearing of Justin Brownlee and Cam Oliver being naturalized. Lo and behold, sa justice committee, ready na kami mag-hearing, wala palang fina-file. Not a single page of paper that would trigger and start the naturalization proceedings,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said that they are willing to work overtime and expedite the process in hopes to have the two ready for the coming FIBA window in November but the SBP hasn’t sent any documents that would push the wheel rolling on the naturalization process

“I was willing to work overtime this November, tapusin na ito just in time for the next window sana but we haven’t received any single page. I checked my counterpart in the House, Rep. Juliet Ferrer, wala din daw na finile,” added Tolentino.

The federation, through vice president Ricky Vargas and executive director Sonny Barrios, apologized for the delay but assured the Senate that it is already collating the necessary documents to start the naturalization of two imports.

“I apologize to the good senator and thank him for bringing this up. We were not aware that there has not been any application for Brownlee and we’re sorry that we have been talking about it in the press. We apologize for that. We will align with you, Senator,” said SBP vice president Ricky Vargas.

“Last Monday practice, kinausap ng team manager Butch Antonio si Justin Brownlee at wala pa nga raw hinihingi sa kanyang mga papers. Between then and now, gina-gather na ‘yang mga dokumentong ‘yan. I’ll remind Sir Butch Antonio, the team manager, to submit to you whatever they have so far para makita niyo,” said Barrios.


Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/12/sbp-apologizes-as-cameron-oliver-justin-brownlee-naturalization-yet-to-roll/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sbp-apologizes-as-cameron-oliver-justin-brownlee-naturalization-yet-to-roll)