American NBA star Andray Blatche has become a Filipino after President Benigno Aquino rushed through a special citizenship law to ensure the powerful centre could play for the Philippines at this year’s World Cup.

“We confirm that the president signed (the bill) granting Filipino citizenship to Mr. Blatche,” spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

In contrast to the many bills that can languish in Congress for years amid lengthy debates, legislators swiftly passed the Blatche naturalisation law. However it still required Aquino’s final approval.

Blatche – who averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds a game this season for the Brooklyn Nets – declared himself a proud Filipino as he visited Manila and enthused about his “once in a lifetime” chance to play in the World Cup.

“I am Filipino now, so I will do my best to help my team,” he said.

“It was an amazing opportunity for me to come here, to learn your culture and to represent you. 

“I was very thankful the first time I heard about it. I was excited, I pretty much jumped on it and I was all for it. The sport of basketball is huge. It’s in the heart of every Filipino and I love basketball, and so it’s like we have that similarity.”

National coach Chot Reyes said the reinforcement would be much-welcomed, but admitted the Philippines’ chances of winning the World Cup were “slim to none”.

The Philippines will face Argentina, Greece, Croatia, Senegal and Puerto Rico in Group B of the World Cup, which starts in August.