Onoh’s naturalization for Gilas underway

The naturalization process to have collegiate women’s basketball standout Ogechukwu ‘Favour’ Onoh play for the Gilas national team is underway, according to both SBP executive director Erika Dy and Senator Sonnny Angara.

“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 posted on his Facebook page along with an image filing for the bill to naturalize Onoh.

His announcement echoes the confirmation shared by Dy, the recently-appointed new executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“Yes, on the women’s side, we actually identified somebody who is going to be in a naturalization process, her name is Favour Onoh, and she has actually been playing here in the country for UP. She is also a scholar in UP, she is a very good candidate,” Dy told the press during the Philippines Sportswriters Association press conference according to The Manila Times.

Onoh, an 18-year-old who originally hails from Nigeria, won the UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year award and helped steer UP to a semifinal matchup against eventual champion UST.

She averaged 10.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals a contest. Onoh also had an outstanding performance in the Final Four where she registered 14 points and 30 boards in a UP victory.

“Right now, I’m very, very excited. I’ve always wanted to be part of Gilas and play for the nation,” the 6-foot-4 standout told Tiebreaker Times earlier this year.

“I can’t wait to put on that blue jersey.”

Photo courtesy of: UAAP Media Team