San Miguel won’t be going with Bennie Boatwright in its redemption tour in the upcoming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup — for now, at least.
The Beermen have tapped the services of 6-foot-11 Marcus Lee, as they’re also taking advantage of the unlimited height for imports in the midseason tilt.
Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed early Monday morning that the 31-year-old forward is now heading to Manila and will be joining the team very soon.
“Finally got confirmation that Marcus Lee boarded his flight and is on his way here,” Abanilla told Tiebreaker Times. “Yes, we are going with Marcus Lee.”
Lee is flying in from Australia as he’s fresh off a stint with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL, which wrapped up its regular season just last February 20.
He’s been a veteran of the said league, having played there four times. He previously suited up for Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers.
It was with the JackJumpers where he found success, as Lee helped the club snare the NBL crown in 2024 by beating Melbourne — his first NBL team.
The San Francisco-native has been a pro since 2018 after a college career that saw him play for Kentucky (2013-16) and the University of California (2017-18).
He began with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the G League, and then went on a journey that has also led him to Italy, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Poland.
Soon, he’ll be playing in Asia for the first time with SMB, who’s looking to reclaim glory in the midseason tournament after missing the playoffs last season.
San Miguel had struggled in that tilt as it couldn’t find the right reinforcement, with Boatwright unavailable due to an Achilles injury.
The 6-foot-10 former USC Trojan had previously steered the Beermen to the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup title at the expense of Tyler Bey and Magnolia.
During last year’s Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel brought in four imports, but the team only went 5-7. It ultimately failed to advance for the first time since the 2015 edition of the same conference.
Boatwright, a candidate for Filipino naturalization, has healed up since and most recently played for Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League.
San Miguel, though, opted to look elsewhere and eventually found Lee, with the hope that he’d fit well enough with June Mar Fajardo & Co.
“We are focusing first on Marcus,” said Abanilla when asked if Boatwright remains part of their plans in the conference ahead, which opens March 11.
“I think he’s not here to take away roles — he’s here to strengthen what we already do well and push our standard higher. He has championship experience. High motor. Team-first mentality,” he added.
The Beermen are looking to win their second straight crown this season after a mighty conquest of the Philippine Cup, in which they beat TNT anew.
With this development, almost all of the 13 participating teams in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup have identified their imports, including guest team Macau Black Bears, who are reportedly bringing in Sam Deguara and Tony Mitchell.
Only Titan Ultra has yet to announce its reinforcement as the new franchise remains in the process of naming a new head coach.
