MANILA, Philippines -- It took longer than usual, but Ateneo de Manila University will have its top recruit from last year ready to go in the UAAP.

Point guard Tyler Tio will now be eligible for the upcoming Season 80 after having secured his Philippine citizenship last Tuesday.

Congratulations @Tyler_Tio on becoming a Filipino citizen.

The long wait is over for @ateneodemanilau.#OneBigFight 🏀 pic.twitter.com/p8mi683HIf

— SolGen Jose C Calida (@SolGenCalida) May 30, 2017

The now 19-year-old committed to play for the Blue Eagles a year ago, but was declared ineligible as he did not have the necessary papers to prove that he is a Filipino citizen.

As such, Tio unable to match up with his peers in a rookie class including Jerrick Ahanmisi, Javi Gomez de Liano, Aljun Melecio, and Ricci Rivero.

The Xavier School product was born in Canada and is therefore a Canadian citizen.

Now his papers are in order, the five-foot-11 pointman will be able to suit up for Ateneo and hold down a spot in head coach Tab Baldwin’s backcourt that also features Anton Asistio, Jolo Mendoza, and Matt Nieto.

Finally a Filipino citizen! Thank you @SolGenCalida Thank you, Lord! 👏 https://t.co/xW4EJy96Px

— Tyler (@Tyler_Tio) May 30, 2017

For Tio, he could not wait to prove to the faithful over in Katipunan that their wait was worth it. “I’m very blessed for coach Tab and all of their trust. So I will just try to do my best to repay their trust,” he said.

This article originally appeared on the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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