THE ball is now in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' (SBP) court with regards to the eligibility of former US NCAA star Remy Martin to play for Gilas Pilipinas as a local.
Sources told SPIN.ph that Martin's camp has already submitted all necessary documents to the national basketball federation to support his case to be classified as a local play for Gilas.
READ Remy Martin believes he has shot at playing for Gilas as a local
Among the documents handed over to SBP executive director Erika Dy is a certification that the six-foot guard had obtained dual citizenship long before turning 16.
"His mother wanted them to maintain their Filipino lineage. They secured their Filipino citizenship not because of basketball, but because his mom wanted them to retain their heritage," shared a source with first-hand knowledge of the papers.
“So, dun mo makikita na Pinoy na Pinoy talaga yung pamilya at hindi lang tungkol sa basketball ang rason kung bakit kahit US citizen na sila, kumuha pa rin sila ng Filipino citizenship,” the source added.
The documents also included proof that while his citizenship was secured early, Martin only managed to acquire a Philippine passport at the age of 20.
“Hindi kasi naman nila alam ang rules ng FIBA and that time, tama yung sinabi ni Remy sa interview nyo, sino mag-aakala na magiging ganyan siya kagaling mag-basketball,” she noted.
Also submitted were the birth certificates of Martin, his mother Mary Ann Bagtas Macaspac (born in Sampaloc, Manila), and his grandparents, Remigio Macaspac of Bambang, Tarlac and Carmelita Bagtas of San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
It remains unknown what course of action the SBP plans to take regarding the paperwork, but sources confirmed that Martin was not part of the long list of players submitted to the Asian Games for Gilas' title defense.
Unlike FIBA tournaments, the Asiad requires only passports for eligibility, regardless of when it was secured.
“Hindi ko alam eh. Pero four to 5 weeks ago pa lang nandun na yung papers ni Martin sa kanila. And may Philippine passport na si Remy, since 8 years ago,” the source pointed out.
During SPIN.ph’s interview with Martin in the final day of training of Strong Group Athletics before they flew to Taipei on Thursday, Martin, a member of the Kansas Jayhawks' NCAA champion team, reiterated that he is willing to do whatever it takes to play for Gilas.
"Obviously, I didn't get my passport at the right time, but I was a dual (citizen) before I was 16, so I just didn't go all the way and get my passport. But you know, it's just been a dream of mine," he said.
"Everything about the Philippines for me is a dream come true, and I think just playing for SGA has been an opportunity for me to show that I can play and that I'm willing to come out here and play for the country," he added.
So keen was his desire to play for Gilas that Martin even stressed he is willing to apply for naturalization just so his dream can be achieved.
"I can do that. I just want to play for Gilas. I just want to rep our country and serve the flag to the best of my abilities. I promise not to fail the millions of Filipino basketball fans," he said.
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