BENNIE Boatwright remains on the radar of San Miguel as import for the midseason PBA Commissioner’s Cup despite recently hooking up with Korean Basketball League team Daegu KOGAS Pegasus.
READ: Gilas problem solved as Boatwright lands in KBL after Taiwan exit
Team manager Gee Abanilla said he has been in constant communication with the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player candidate who is actually on top of the Beermen’s list of reinforcements for the March 11 tournament - if ever he’s available by that time.
“Yes, nasa listahan namin siya,” he said. “Pero depende sa sitwasyon niya. Kung mag-a-advance yung team niya. So it really depends.”
Daegu KOGAS is actually tied at the bottom of the standings with a 9-20 record with Seoul Samsung Thunders, although the season won’t come to an end until April.
Abanilla disclosed Boatwright, 29, actually reached out to him shortly after the import parted ways with Taipei Fubon Braves in the P. League+ last week.
“The last time I communicated with him, tinanong niya lang sa akin kung ano yung schedule ng Commissioner’s Cup,” he said.
“Right after lumabas (news about the Fubon Braves), nag-text na ako agad sa kanya, and then he asked for it (Commissioner’s Cup sked)."
But two days after. Boatwright was already bound for Korea.
“Nagulat na lang kami na pumirma na siya sa Korea,” continued Abanilla from the sidelines of the Philippine Cup semifinals between SMB and Barangay Ginebra.
Let's cross the bridge when we get there
The San Miguel official said Boatwright, who led the Beermen to the 2023-24 Comm’s Cup championship, could be trying to stay active following a bout with an Achilles injury, so he opted to take his act from Taipei to Korea in so short a time.
“I was thinking na baka ayaw niya lang mabakante, gusto niya tuloy-tuloy lang,” Abanilla said. “Well, he’s already healed, pero yung time niya, siguro gusto niyang makuha pa, and he could only get that from playing.”
But at the same time, the former SMB coach turned team executive said it would have been better had Boatwright joined them instead this early.
“This is the best chance to bring him early, get acclimatized, and be re-acquainted with the San Miguel system again. Kaso naging ganun ang desisyon niya,” said Abanilla.
Now, complications may arise if the Pegasus manage to advance to the KBL playoffs, according to Abanilla.
“Ang dilemma ngayon, kung mag-advance (yung team),” he said. “Siyempre kailangan rin ng mga coaches to decide on something. Hindi naman pwedeng, ‘O baka libre na siya ngayon, kunin na natin.’"
“Kung libre siya, edi OK.”
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