MANILA, Philippines — Marcus Douthit’s bid for naturalization is now up for signing by President Aquino after his documents were forwarded to Malacañang last Feb. 9, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said Tuesday. According to Eala, the President Aquino has 30 days, or until Mar. 11, to sign the naturalization papers of Douthit known as House Bill No. 2307, to officially make it a law.
But if the 30-day period lapses, Eala said it will be an “automatic law” – meaning the 6-foot-10 Douthit can play with Gilas in different international meets organized by FIBA.
Douthit is training with the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas under Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman preparing for the FIBA-Asia Championship set Sept. 15 in Wuhan, China, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.
Douthit already played in various international events for Gilas but not in last year’s Asian Games since his papers were still being processed that time.
