BENNIE Boatwright is currently in China as the wait continues for his Philippine passport that will officially make him eligible to become a naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas.
Boatwright signed up with the Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for this season after his stint with San Miguel during the 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
READ SBP accountable if Boatwright fails to play in coming FIBA window
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy, however, assured during the Senate Committee on Sports hearing on Thursday that his stint in China will not be an obstacle in the processing of his passport.
“We’ve already coordinated with our embassy and consulate in China where he will take his oath and his passport will be issued,” said Dy, when asked for an update by committee chairman Sen. Bong Go during the hearing on Thursday morning.
Passport processing would require documents that include a certified copy of the law granting his naturalization, a paper that has yet to be published in the Official Gazette.
Boatwright also needs to take his oath of allegiance to the Philippines in China as part of the issuance of his Philippine passport.
“We just needed him to finish off the requirements,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during the said hearing.
The plan is for Boatwright to be available for the November window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers especially following news that Justin Brownlee has a health issue related to his heart that kept him out of national and club team duties with Gilas Pilipinas and Barangay Ginebra over the past few months.
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