THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has learned its lesson well.
Despite his naturalization papers still lacking the signature from Malacanang, Bennie Boatwright has been included by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as part of its 30-man list submitted to the Asian Games Organizing Committee.
“We did enter his name in the long list,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy of the national team’s latest naturalized player candidate.
By being included in the long list, it’s safe to say the 6-foot-10 Boatwright was also included in the short list later submitted to the Asiad Organizing Committee, and from where the final 12-man roster will be taken.
The SBP move was obviously an off-shoot of the incident that marred Gilas Pilipinas’ final 12-man selection during the last Asiad competition in Hangzhou, China.
The national team was barred from bringing along Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romero, Jason Perkins, and Mo Tautuaa since the quartet were not part of the initial long list submitted by the SBP under previous coach Chot Reyes.
When coach Tim Cone took over, Abueva, Romero, Perkins, and Tautuaa were named as part of the team.
After the quartet was prohibited from joining the team, their spots were taken by Kevin Alas, Chris Ross, CJ Perez, and Arvin Tolentino.
Now, the SBP hopes the naturalization papers of Boatwright would be officially signed just in time for the Asiad, where the men’s basketball event starts on Sept. 10.
“The legislative process for his naturalization has already been done. But the process itself has not yet been completed,” said Dy.
The naturalization papers are now in Malacanang, waiting for the final signature of President Marcos Jr.
If not, the SBP will wait for it to lapse into law, after which Boatwright will finally take his oath of allegiance.
“Tapos pupunta tayo sa Bureau of Immigration para kumuha ng naturalization certificate. And with that certificate, that’s the only time that we can apply for his passport,” said Dy in explaining the remaining process needed to officially complete the naturalization of the prolific San Miguel Beer import.
“So sana nga umabot.”
Along with Boatwright, fellow naturalized player Justin Brownlee was likewise listed in the SBP original list, making it possible for the two PBA imports to play together at Gilas.
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