COACH Tim Cone would love to have Bennie Boatwright on board as soon as possible, perhaps as early as Gilas Pilipinas' build-up for the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Boatwright is still in the process of being naturalized, but Cone said it would be a boost for the Gilas program if the former San Miguel import would be available to take part in the team’s preparation for the next window.
“That’s something we would explore,” said Cone. “That would really be on him on whether he will be available. Obviously, if is be available to come in for five or seven days and work with us, and get a feel for us, that would be awesome.”
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With the season-opening Governors’ Cup an import conference with a height limit of 6-foot-6, Boatwright, who is listed at 6-foot-10, will not be eligible to play for the coming tournament, and won’t be in the country, at least for now, in the weeks leading up to the next FIBA window.
Boatwright recently played in China for the Shanxi Loongs during the 2023-24 CBA season after his stint with San Miguel where he led the Beermen to the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup title.
At the moment, the naturalization of Boatwright will still have to go through the process after former Senator and now Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2646.
Gilas expects Boatwright’s naturalization to take some time, meaning Justin Brownlee will likely play for the Philippines in the coming November window for qualifiers against New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Cone said Boatwright represents Gilas' future as he will eventually take over the spot from Brownlee in a few years time.
“The fact of the matter is he is going to get older,” said Cone of the 36-year-old Brownlee. “In four years, he will be 39 or 40 and we may have to look somewhere else. And he (Brownlee) understands the reality of it as well.
“It’s on us to make sure that we have continuity and a continuous program… Bennie represents that for the naturalized position. We are excited about him,” Cone said.
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