Bill seeking to grant JaVale McGee Filipino citizenship filed

Antipolo District 1 representative Roberto Puno has filed House Bill No. 6169, which seeks to make Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee a naturalized Filipino citizen, in order for him to become eligible to join the second incarnation of the Smart Gilas National Team. Puno, who also sponsored House Bill No. 2307, which led to the naturalization of Marcus Douthit, the foreign center for the first Smart Gilas Pilipinas team, cited the positive effect the former LA Lakers draft pick had on that squad. Tapping McGee, Puno wrote in the bill, would "galvanize, strengthen and ensure continuity with regards to our naturalized player." McGee was part of the group of NBA players brought over to the Philippines by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan during the 2011 NBA lockout. The 24-year-old later tweeted out in January,"heard from @coachot [coach Chot Reyes of the National Team] that d Phil national team is about to be formed. Would love to represent d Phils if given d chance"

heard from @coachot that d Phil national team is about to be formed. Would love to represent d Phils if given d chance — Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) January 7, 2012  

McGee averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks after a mid-season trade sent him from the Washington Wizards to the Denver Nuggets. In the playoffs versus the LA Lakers, he normed 8.57 points, 9.57 boards, and 3.14 swats in 25.90 minutes, and posted two big double-doubles coming off the bench. In addition to some impressive statistics though, McGee is also well-known online for what is at times an eccentric style of play, accumulating YouTube "lowlights" and entire articles dedicated to his gaffes. He is a restricted free-agent in the upcoming NBA off-season. — AMD/JVP, GMA News