The FIBA eligibility rules state that for players born outside the country they wish to represent, they must satisfy two requirements: 1)either parent must still be a citizen of the country they wish to represent at the time of their birth, and 2)must have obtained the passport of the country they wish to represent before they reach the age of 16.
Filipinos are known to populate various corners of the world and we can almost always find Filipinos of mixed descent in any continent. However not all of these mixed blood Filipinos can represent the Philippine basketball in official FIBA competitions since they do not always satisfy the eligibility rules of FIBA.
Chris Banchero, 5-11, Guard
PBA Season 40 Stats: 58 GP, 6.97 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.16 APG
Chris Banchero emerged as one of the top rookies of PBA Season 40 helping the Alaska Aces to two runner-up finishes in three conferences. The Fil-Italian guard is a confident point guard who can orchestrate the offense or provide firepower at either guard spot.
| Chris Banchero (photo from asianbasketballleague.com) |
Stanley Pringle, 6-0, Guard
PBA Season 40 Stats: 31 GP, 14.03 PPG, 4.45 RPG, 3.94 APG, 1.48 SPG, 35.8% 3PFG
Stanley Pringle was the top rookie in PBA Season 40. Gilas could have used his shot-creating abilities and banked on the wealth of international experience he brings to the table.
| Stanley Pringle (photo from aseanbasketballleague.com) |
Sol Mercado, 6-0, Guard
PBA Season 40 Stats: 32 GP, 8.5 PPG, 2.42 RPG, 3.84 APG
Sol Mercado has established himself as an elite guard in the Philippine Basketball Association. He did suit up for the Philippine team that won the 2012 Jones Cup where he averaged 5.63 points, 3.125 rebounds, and 2.875 assists in 8 games. But that would probably how far he could go in terms of representing the Philippines.
| Sol Mercado (photo from pinoyexchange.com) |
Chris Ross, 6-1, Guard
PBA Season 40 Stats: 54 GP, 5.35 PPG, 2.95 RPG, 2.72 APG, 1.43 SPG
Chris Ross was recently named to the PBA's All-Defensive Team in Season 40. Ross would have provided the Gilas backcourt with ragtag hassle.
| Chris Ross (photo from pinoyexchange.com) |
Alex Mallari, 6-4, Guard
PBA Season 40 Stats: 45 GP, 7.96 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.31 APG
6'4" Fil-American guard Alex Mallari thrived under the guidance of coach Tim Cone at Star. Gilas could have made good use of a 6'4" point guard who can also play the 2 and 3 spots.
| Alex Mallari (photo from gmanetwork.com) |
Scuba Holt, 6-4, Guard
2014 NBA Summer League Stats: 5 GP, 8.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2 APG, 1.2 SPG
2015 NBA Summer League Stats: 6 GP, 7.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1 APG, 1.5 SPG
Another U.S.-based Fil-American who has expressed willingness to play for the Philippines is recent NBA Summer League campaigner Stephen "Scuba" Holt, a 6'4" point guard. Gilas would have drooled at the prospect of a tall point guard.
| Scuba Holt (photo from smartgilasbasketball.com) |
Chris Ellis, 6-5, Guard/Forward
PBA Season 40 Stats: 22 GP, 4.05 PPG
Chris Ellis is fun to watch because of his athleticism. He can also provide good length at the off-guard position while not giving up too much in speed, quickness, and shooting. He did represent the gold-medal winning Philippine team at the 2011 South East Asian Games in Jakarta and won't represent the country again in an official FIBA competition as a natural-born player.
| Chris Ellis (photo from hoops.ph) |
Jordan Clarkson, 6-5, Guard/Forward
NBA 2014-15 Stats: 59 GP, 11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 31.4% 3PFG, 82.9% FT
The Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Clarkson, an All-Rookie Team awardee in the NBA this past season, has expressed interest in playing for the Philippines, his mother's home country. Sadly, he can only do so as a naturalized player as he has not obtained a Philippine passport before he turned 16.
| Jordan Clarkson (photo from isportsweb.com) |
Cliff Hodge, 6-5, Forward
PBA Season 40 Stats: 40 GP, 9.43 PPG, 7.38 RPG, 1.93 APG, 1.4 BPG
Cliff Hodge has become a vital component of Meralco's campaign in the PBA. While he provides rebounding muscle down low, he also snipes quite accurately from outside. Gilas could have welcomed another multi-faceted talent in its roster. The best he could do is represent the Philippines at the 2011 Jakarta SEA Games where they won the gold.
| Cliff Hodge (photo from pinoyexchange.com) |
Joe Devance, 6-7, Forward
PBA Season 40 Stats: 45 GP, 10.4 PPG, 3.44 RPG, 2.56 APG, 32.3% 3PFG
Joe Calvin Devance is a burly power forward who has good handles and can take the outside shot. The best he could do in the 2013 Asian Championships in Manila was cheer from the stands.
| Joe Devance (photo from dzrhnews.com) |
Greg Slaughter, 7-0, Center
PBA Season 40 Stats: 32 GP, 14.84 PPG, 7.14 RPG, 1.25 APG
Seldom does a player as big as Greg Slaughter surface in the Philippines. It is but unfortunate that Greg Slaughter might not even be eligible to play as a natural-born Filipino in official FIBA tournaments. There is still a ray of hope though as his case may be appealed by virtue of his residency in the Philippines and the number of seasons he spent playing in Cebu and Manila. he has spent playing basketball locally even if he did not obtain a passport before he turned 16. He was also part of the Philippine team that won gold at the 2011 Jakarta SEA Games.
| Greg Slaughter (photo from interaksyon.com) |
