GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone admitted the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright has yet to make real progress, but remains hopeful the latter could be part of the national team for the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Cone said Gilas is still waiting for the ball to get rolling on Boatwright’s naturalization that was filed through Senate Bill No. 2646 last May authored by then-Senator Sonny Angara, who is now the Department of Education secretary.
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“The bottom line is his papers got delayed because of issues that are going on with the government. He got put on the back burner. He is not eligible yet and we are still waiting,” said Cone.
Help is on the way though as Cone said a couple of government officials have expressed their support for the process.
“I know that there are a couple of guys in the government that are helping us out. I’m not sure I should mention their names or not, you have to talk to Al Panlilio (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president) about that.
"We are still waiting for him [Boatwright]. In the meantime, Ange [Kouame] is our backup."
But even if eligible, Boatwright won’t be able to play for Gilas in the current window since he is still recovering from an Achilles injury he sustained while playing in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Cone is hopeful Boatwright can come under consideration along with Brownlee and Kouame for the lone naturalization spot in the team come February.
“Bennie still can’t play until December anyway. He is coming off an injury… He is definitely a candidate for the February window. We will take a look at that,” said Cone.
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