IS Bennie Boatwright ready to ride the San Miguel bandwagon anew?
Coach Leo Austria disclosed the organization is in constant communication with the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player candidate for a possible return in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But Boatwright’s current stint in the Korean Basketball League stands in the way.
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Austria said the import, who’s playing for Korean club team Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, won’t be available until by April yet.
The mid-season conference is set to kick off on March 11 shortly after the All-Star weekend.
“May communication kami. But the problem now with him is his last game in the eliminations sa Korea will last until April 8,” said the San Miguel coach just moments after steering the Beermen to back-to-back championships in the All-Filipino conference.
“Mag-uumpisa tayo March 11, so probably mami-miss niya at least yung four games.”
Boatwright anchored San Miguel’s championship run in the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup when the Beermen beat the Magnolia Hotshots in six games of the finals.
While having the 29-year-old import back in harness would be a big boost for the Beermen’s bid for a second straight crown this season, Austria isn’t certain if Boatwright can commit to the team.
“We don’t know yet, pero baka mamaya biglang mag opt-out siya. So talagang kinakausap namin siya,” said Austria.
But the 67-year-old coach said that the product of the USC Trojans men’s basketball program is looking forward of rejoining the franchise in their bid for another championship journey in the league.
“Last time na nakausap siya ng manager namin (Gee Abanilla), ang sabi niya he’s excited to come back here with san Miguel,” Austria said. “But we’re not sure kung siya talaga. Of course, may commitment yung sa kanyang team.”
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