San Miguel import Bennie Boatwright was well aware of what trust can bring to a team – a key element that the Beermen applied to themselves to reign supreme over Magnolia in the 2023-‘24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

Boatwright expressed that teamwork and patience paid dividends against the hard-fighting Hotshots, who almost tied the finals series if not for a fourth quarter meltdown.

“It’s all about the team, it’s not about one player, it’s not about two players, it’s all about all 15 guys,” Boatwright said on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

“Stay calm, stay confident. They're a good team, we're a good team, it’s a game of runs, so we’re trying to stay patient,” he added.  

With the immense trust given to him, the 6-foot-10 cager tried to reciprocate the same to his team, especially when every possession mattered in the contest. He particularly thanked June Mar Fajardo for making his task easier on the paint.

“So you know everybody knows their role and I believe [to] all of my teammates, they believed [in] me, we believe in each other,” Boatwright continued.

"It's easy to play with June Mar (Fajardo), he's so dominant inside. He makes it easier for me,"

When Boatwright was asked by the media if he’s going to play for the Beermen again, the former USC Trojan readily answered that he is down for another PBA stint.

“Yes, sir!,” an energetic Boatwright said.

Boatwright scattered 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in the title-clinching Game Six, leading the assist column including his passes to Finals MVP CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz which cut Magnolia’s lead to one, 97-98, with under two minutes left in the final frame.