MANILA, Philippines – Brooklyn Nets forward Andray Blatche was granted Filipino citizenship by the Philippine Senate, paving the way for his inclusion into the line-up of the national basketball team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup in Spain this August. The House of Representatives approved Blatche's application last month, and the Senate approved the bill on its third and last reading on Monday. Blatche's papers will now be transmitted to the Office of the President for the chief executive's signing. Senator Sonny Angara, who introduced the bill to the Senate, believes Blatche will make local big men better basketball players. -- Mornings @ ANC, May 27, 2014.