Bennie Boatwright's naturalization 'on hold'

FORMER San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright's naturalization process will have to wait a little longer.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said Boatwright's naturalization process is "on hold" for the moment.

"(We're) Still waiting for both Congress and Senate. All naturalization process are on hold," Panlilio said in a brief reply to The Manila Times.

The Senate and the House of Representatives are on recess and will resume their regular sessions in June 2025.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said in a previous interview that he would like to see the 6-foot-10 Boatwright join the national team practice so he can start learning the system.

At the moment, Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee remains as the Philippine team's main naturalized player.

Even at 36 years old, the three-time PBA Best Import awardee remains a reliable go-to-guy for Gilas Pilipinas where he averaged 21.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in six games in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

But given father time will soon be catching up on Brownlee, Cone and the SBP are hopeful Boatwright will get his Philippine citizenship this year as the national team also sets its sight at making it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Philippines last played in the Olympic Games in the 1972 edition in Munich, Germany.

Boatwright is best remembered for leading San Miguel to the Commissioner's Cup title in the 2024 season after averaging 30.3 points, 12 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while making 35.1 percent from three-point zone.