Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to University of the Philippines women’s basketball team center Favour Ogechukwu Onoh.
In filing Senate Bill No. 2670, Angara, who is chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said the Nigeria-born Onoh would be a valuable addition to the Gilas Pilipinas with her youth, tenacity and potential for further growth and development as a player.
Born in the Enugu state of Nigeria, Onoh only started playing basketball in secondary school but she quickly developed her skills, so much so that she received offers to play in Italy and Japan.
The 18-year-old Onoh was dominant in her rookie year with UP, notching season averages of 10.07 points, 13.93 rebounds, 3.21 blocks, 1.29 steals and 1.21 assists per game on her way to bagging rookie of the year honors in the 86th Season of the UAAP.
Onoh was instrumental in leading the UP Fighting Maroons Women’s Basketball Team to a 3rd place finish, the squad’s first podium finish since 2008.
Handpicked by Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Patrick Aquino, Onoh would provide the national team with a strong presence in the paint. Onoh currently holds the record for most rebounds in a game with 30.
SBP Executive Director Erika Dy vouched for Onoh’s character in pushing for her citizenship bid— praising her good character on and off the court.
“Favour Onoh would be a great addition to Gilas Pilipinas Women. We have high hopes about her contribution to the development of our women’s national basketball program and to our aspirations of taking part in the Olympics in the near future,” Angara said.
Angara noted that Onoh, just like the other naturalized players before her, has shown a strong desire to represent the Philippines in the global stage.
Last April, Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2646, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright III.
The six-foot-team Boatwright has also been endorsed by the SBP to join Gilas Pilipinas as one of its naturalized players.
