Just the idea of playing alongside Justin Brownlee while representing Gilas Pilipinas in this year’s Asian Games excites Bennie Boatwright.
That’s actually part of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) plan to bolster the program’s ‘back-to-back’ hopes in the quadrennial showpiece, with host Japan opting to implement a passport-only rule for player eligibility.
“I’m definitely looking forward to that,” he said Wednesday night, moments after leading San Miguel to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals by knocking Terrafirma out of contention through a dominant 126-110 victory.
“I heard that you can have two imports. Me and Justin playing together, that would be exciting,” added the University of Southern California product.
As promising as that partnership could be, given their skill set and pedigree, Boatwright was quick to temper expectations, saying that he has to get naturalized first and foremost before thinking of anything else.
“Definitely do my best to help out, you know, win another championship. But one step at a time, I gotta get naturalized first,” he said with a smile.
The 29-year-old, though, has already taken a major step in his bid to become a Filipino citizen, having attended his first hearing on Wednesday, where he appeared before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
(C) PBA Images
He was even accompanied by SBP executive director Erika Dy, as well as San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, who’s also been serving as program director and team manager of the Gilas Men since 2024.
Boatwright’s naturalization process was launched back in April 2024, but it faced several delays due to political turmoil and the midterm elections.
It didn’t help, either, that he suffered an Achilles injury in August of that same year and required surgery, causing him to stay at home in the States for a while.
But all that is in the past now, with the Los Angeles native finally back in Manila as he has reprised his import duties with the traditional powerhouse.
So, he’s making up for lost time while enjoying the entire process of trying to become a citizen of what has become his second home after finding success in this country two years ago by leading the Beermen to a PBA title.
“I think I have, like, one more hearing to go, one more meeting to go. They said hopefully then, I can be naturalized,” an optimistic Boatwright said.
“It’s been a great experience. I started the process about two years ago and haven’t gotten that much of a chance to get out here. But everything happens for a reason. I’m here now, and I’ve been getting everything done,” he added.
That excitement surely spilled over to the hardwood. Mere hours after his Senate hearing, the 6-foot-10 forward went to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to suit up for San Miguel’s penultimate elimination round game against the Dyip.
He did get into foul trouble early but overcame it, and even went on to finish with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to lead the rout, which enabled the squad to complete the eight-team quarterfinal picture.
