The Philippines completes the nationalization of Bienve Marañón

The Philippine national team is preparing to add one more Spaniard to its list of eligible footballers. As reported by various Asian media, the senator Miguel Zubiri presented a bill for the naturalization of the 33-year-old Andalusian forward Welcome Cashew, who plays since 2015 in Ceres Negros and in the coming weeks will also be eligible for Scott Cooper, coach of the 'Azkals'.

“Marañón dreams of raising a family in the Philippines and representing the country's national team. His goal is to compete in international tournaments and make us be recognized as one of the best teams in Asia,” admitted Zubiri in the 'Manila Bulletin'. The Andalusian striker did not hide his desire to play with the 'Azkals' either: “I would love to. I feel better than ever and I want to help Filipino soccer because it has also helped me improve my life“

Bienve Marañón, a native of El Puerto de Santa María, arrived in the Philippines in 2015 endorsed by Carlie de Murga, with whom he met in Spain while playing at Socuéllamos. The defender, who at the time belonged to Ceres Negros – now plays in Thailand – offered him to join a team in which he has played since then and with whom he has become the highest historical scorer of the AFC Cup, second competition of the most important clubs in all of Asia: “It is my favorite competition, but I never imagined being so successful,” Bienve acknowledged on the competition's official website.

Marañón would thus enlarge the list of Spanish footballers who, for one reason or another, have managed to represent the absolute national team of the Philippines in recent years. A path marked by Ángel Guirado in 2013 which was later followed by his brother, Juani Guirado, or the aforementioned Carlie de Murga, Javier Patiño or Álvaro Silva, who were part of the 'Azkals' call for the 2019 Asian Cup. Other Spaniards such as Diego Bardanca, José Ángel Carrillo or Kike Linares are, like Marañón, in the process of naturalization.