Nets' Blatche granted citizenship in Philippines

Brooklyn Nets player Andray Blatche was granted Filipino citizenship on Wednesday so he can play for the national team at the FIBA World Cup this year, Philippine officials said.

President Benigno Aquino III signed a law granting citizenship to the American-born Blatche, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

The International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, allows each team to have one naturalized player per tournament. The Philippines is competing at the World Cup for the first time in 35 years.