Gilas prospect Douthit steps closer to Filipino citizenship

MANILA, Philippines – RP-Smart Gilas prospect Marcus Eugene Douthit is getting closer to becoming a Filipino citizen as the Senate passed on second reading a bill that will will give him Filipino citizenship.

The Senate has already passed on second reading House Bill 2307, which seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to the 6’11” 2004 draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Handlers of RP-Smart Gilas are fast tracking the measure to get Douthit naturalized in time for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III needs to certify the bill as urgent before it can be tackled and passed on 3rd and final reading on the last day of session on Wednesday.

Earlier, a majority vote of 212-9 on the House of Representatives’ third and final reading of House Bill 2307 enabled Douthit to move closer to becoming a naturalized Filipino citizen.

Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman and team manager Frankie Lim believe the former US NCAA Division 1 player can help beef up the RP squad against taller Asian teams.