BENNIE Boatwright is now being contacted by San Miguel for a possible return to the team after Justin Patton missed Sunday's game against Magnolia in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
SMB team manager Gee Abanilla said on Sunday that they are already in touch with Boatwright as the Beermen search for a replacement for Patton, who has gone ‘AWOL’ and didn't suit up for the team against the Hotshots.
READ SMB risks playing all-Filipino vs Magnolia as Patton 'goes AWOL'
Sources, however, said Boatwright is either in Manila already or on his way to the country at the conclusion of his stint with Daegu KOGAS in the Korean Basketball League last April 8.
Sources said Boatwright's transfer to the PBA from the Korean league has already been cleared by FIBA.
Boatwright is also being naturalized for Gilas Pilipinas, and the process was deferred last March as he needed to attend the Senate proceedings personally. His arrival then could hit two birds with one stone for the former USC Trojan.
It is not yet clear whether his arrival is also for a potential stint with San Miguel, who he led to the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup championship at the expense of the Magnolia Hotshots in six games.
One thing is certain, Boatwright is already a free agent.
Due to his showing during that conference, Gilas considered bringing in Boatwright as its naturalized player.
Since then, Boatwright has played in China and later in Taiwan after recovering from an Achilles injury. But sources said he continued to keep in touch with the team all that time.
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