TIMING is perfect.
Just two days after Gilas Pilipinas got whipped by Australia in their FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, is set to hold its first public hearing on the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright.
The public hearing, set at 1:30 p.m. and led by committee chair Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, sets in motion the Senate proceedings that hopefully will make the former San Miguel import eligible to play for the national team in international competitions,
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Boatwright's naturalization under House Bill No. 6639 has already been passed on second reading by Congress last December.
Aside from Boatwright's naturalization, also to be tackled in the hearing are similar processes for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 candidate Malick Diouf, Gilas Women's candidate Elizabeth Means, and wrestler Matthew James Ramos.
Boatwright, 29, is a former USC Trojans standout in the US NCAA who attracted the attention of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) after leading San Miguel to a PBA Commissioner's Cup championship in 2023.
His naturalization process was launched in April 2024 but has seen several delays, more so after Boatwright suffered an Achilles injury in August 2024.
The 6-10 winger, however, is back in full fitness currently plays for Daegu Kogas Pegasus in the Korea Basketball League, where he is teammates with former Gilas guard SJ Belangel.
His arrival should give Gilas a third option for its naturalized player after Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame approaching the July window of the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers and the Asian Games title defense in September.
On the other hand, SBP executive director Erika Dy said Diouf's naturalization is also integral to a newly formed Gilas 3x3 pool put together by former PBA coach Ryan Gregorio and training under Kirk Collier.
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