MANILA, Philippines — The national basketball program has received a double boost as two standout international players officially gained their Filipino citizenships. Basketball standouts Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Jeanette Means are now officially eligible to represent the country internationally after their respective naturalization measures lapsed into law.
The legislative pathways—originally introduced as House Bills and sponsored in the upper chamber by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan—became official statutes on Monday, May 18, 2026, under Republic Act No. 12318 (for Diouf) and Republic Act No. 12319 (for Means).
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) intends to utilize both athletes to reinforce the country’s high-growth 3×3 basketball rosters across both divisions:
[ GILAS PILIPINAS NATURALIZATION REINFORCEMENTS ]
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┌─────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┐
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[ MALICK DIOUF ] [ ELIZABETH MEANS ]
• **Height & Origin:** 6-foot-11 center from Dakar, Senegal. • **Height & Origin:** 6-foot forward from the United States.
• **PH Track Record:** Led the UP Fighting Maroons to the UAAP • **Heritage Roots:** Traces her family lineage directly to
Season 84 title in 2022 and captured the Season 85 MVP award. Naga City, Camarines Sur, where her grandfather was born.
• **Gilas Target:** Eyed as a premier baseload big man to anchor • **Gilas Target:** Fast-tracked to join the Gilas Women's squad
the Men's national 3x3 basketball pool. for the upcoming FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Poland.
The timing of the naturalization approval is critical, particularly for the women’s national team. Gilas Women’s program organizers are actively finalizing their tactical roster as they prepare for a highly competitive showing at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 in Poland.
[Naturalization Lapsed into Law (May 18)] ──► Grants Full Constitutional Rights & Clearance │ ▼ (The Immediate Deployment)[FIBA 3x3 World Cup Roster Integration] ◄── Means to Join Stars Afril Bernardino & Kacey dela Rosa
By bringing her distinct NCAA Division II experience from Westminster University to the half-court circuit, Means gives the Gilas Women a versatile, length-oriented scoring option to complement established domestic stars like Afril Bernardino and Kacey dela Rosa.
Meanwhile, Diouf—who first arrived in the archipelago in 2018 on an athletic scholarship with Centro Escolar University before moving to Diliman—provides the men’s 3×3 pool with elite rim protection, rebounding, and an intimate understanding of the physical local playing style, successfully concluding a multi-month legislative journey to secure their spots under the Philippine flag.