Denzel Bowles, Michael Dunigan under early consideration for naturalization for future Philippine teams

Denzel Bowles of San Mig Coffee and Michael Dunigan of Air 21 have been two of the most impressive imports in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.

Bowles and Dunigan have turned the head of no less than Chot Reyes, the coach of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Reyes said the two reinforcements are under early consideration for naturalization so they could suit up for the Philippine squad in the future.

“I’ve already talked to their coaches (Tim Cone and Franz Pumaren) about this,” said Reyes.

Granting a player Filipino citizenship is a long process, and requires long-term commitment for the naturalization candidate.

“One year kasi ang process,” Pumaren told InterAKTV. “But Dunigan is open to it.”

The Philippine team earlier broached the possibility of naturalizing NBA center Javale McGee, but issues with the player’s insurance requirements halted the process.

Another naturalized center, Marcus Douthit, will lead the Philippine team in the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship this August. Douthit acquired his Filipino citizenship in 2011, and led the Philippines to a fourth-place finish in that year’s Asian championship.

via InterAktv