ANTIPOLO, Philippines — After a commanding 41-point explosion in his PBA return, Bennie Boatwright is keeping his focus on the big picture: becoming a naturalized Filipino and suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas. Despite the lengthy legislative hurdles, the 6-foot-10 forward remains undeterred, trusting the process as he settles back into the local basketball scene.
Boatwright, who is currently reinforcing the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, spoke candidly about his aspirations following a hard-fought 98-94 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors at the Ynares Center on Sunday.
For Boatwright, the dream of representing the Philippines is more than just a future possibility—it’s a daily driver.
- The Training Mindset: “I keep that in mind every day when I’m training, just preparing for it,” Boatwright shared. “I think it’s a real good opportunity and I’m grateful for it.”
- Grateful for the Chance: Having already experienced the passion of Filipino fans during his previous championship run with San Miguel, Boatwright expressed his elation over being considered for the national pool.
The naturalization process is a multi-step journey involving several branches of government. Boatwright’s bid, which was temporarily delayed by an Achilles injury in 2024 and his recent stint in South Korea, is now back in focus.
- The Role of Gilas Management: Boatwright credited Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario for handling the administrative heavy lifting. “I just wait on Coach Richard. He takes care of everything; he makes everything smooth. I just stay patient.”
- The Legislative Path: Having already attended one committee hearing each in the House and the Senate, Boatwright is expected to make at least one more appearance. For the bill to become law, it must pass three readings in both chambers before reaching President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his signature.
If Sunday’s performance was any indication, Boatwright is more than ready to deliver. In his first game back for the Beermen, he notched:
- 41 Points * 11 Rebounds
- 3-of-5 shooting from the PBA’s four-point line.
His return provides a significant boost for San Miguel as they look to steady their ship in the Commissioner’s Cup, and for Gilas fans, it serves as a tantalizing preview of what the versatile big man can bring to the international stage.
With his paperwork back on the agenda and his game sharper than ever, Boatwright’s journey to becoming a “Filipino at heart” is entering its most critical phase.