By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Two basketball standouts being eyed for national team duties have officially become Filipino citizens after separate measures granting them Philippine citizenship lapsed into law.
Republic Act (RA) 12318 granted Philippine citizenship to Maodo “Malick” Diouf, a Senegal-born center considered for inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 pool, while RA 12319 conferred citizenship on Elizabeth Jeanette Means, a prospect for the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s National Team.
The two laws lapsed into law on May 18, 2026, without the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in accordance with Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution. Copies of both measures were published in a newspaper of national circulation on Thursday.
Diouf, a 6-foot-11 center from Dakar, Senegal, gained prominence during his collegiate career with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, where he played a key role in the school’s successful bid for the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball championship. He was later named the Most Valuable Player of UAAP Season 85.
Meanwhile, Means, a 6-foot player born on Oct. 31, 2002, in California, is being eyed for the Philippine women’s 3×3 program.
Means’ family also has ties to the Philippines as her great-grandfather reportedly served as a missionary doctor in the country, while her grandfather was born in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Their naturalization expands the talent pool available to Philippine basketball as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) continues to strengthen its men’s and women’s programs for international competitions, particularly in the fast-growing 3×3 discipline.
The two athletes must first take their Oath of Allegiance before an authorized officer and register it with the Bureau of Immigration before they can fully enjoy the rights and privileges of Philippine citizenship under the law.
The SBP is also working on the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright for the Gilas Pilipinas men’s squad to complement the team’s pool of naturalized players that include Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kuame. (PNA)
