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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SBP in waiting game for Bennie Boatwright's naturalization

SBP in waiting game for Bennie Boatwright's naturalization

Published Aug 19, 2025 06:51 pm

At A Glance

  • It seemed like former San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright remains a top candidate to become Gilas Pilipinas' naturalized player although his camp and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are still in a waiting game as to when the process to obtain his Filipino citizenship is going to start.
It seemed like former San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright remains a top candidate to become Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player although his camp and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are still in a waiting game as to when the process to obtain his Filipino citizenship is going to start.
SBP president Al Panlilio said the federation is only waiting for the Congress to schedule the hearing for Boatwright's naturalization.
“(We are) just waiting for the government to process,“ said Panlilio in a short message to Manila Bulletin regarding the 6-foot-10 forward’s naturalization bid.
The national team has long expressed its interest in having Boatwright as part of its naturalized player pool with former senator and current Department of Education Sec. Sonny Angara filing the Senate Bill 2646 which seeks to grant Boatwright Filipino citizenship in April last year.
Since then, however, there was no significant development to the process.
In a separate interview with reporters during the Pilipinas United 3x3 League Media Launch in Seda Manila Bay, SBP executive director Erika Dy believes Boatwright will be ready to attend any hearing should the naturalization process begin as he can easily come over to the country after reportedly signing to play in Taiwan.
“There’s no change with regard to getting Bennie Boatwright as a naturalized player at the moment. We’re just waiting for Congress to schedule the hearings for him,“ said Dy.
“I believe he’s going to be playing in Taiwan now so I believe it’s going to be easy for him to come over when he’s called for,“ she added.
Boatwright will be back in action from a long layoff after sustaining an Achilles injury last year.
The sweet-shooting big man first made heads turn on Philippine soil when he steered SMB to a Commissioners Cup championship in 2024 while averaging 30.3 points, 12 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 13 games.
Gilas currently has two naturalized players so far in Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame. Jordan Clarkson, despite having Filipino blood, was also considered as such by FIBA after failing to obtain a Philippine passport before turning 16.
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