SAN Miguel Beer has apparently hit the jackpot when it hired Bennie Boatwright midway through the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Since then, the Beermen's record included an 11-game winning streak and, more importantly, the team is currently one win away from the championship.
SMB's good fortune, however, could not have been possible without the encouragement of a former Magnolia import, who gave Boatwright the goods about the team that had shown interest in him.
Boatwright said he spoke to Nick Rakocevic to ask about the PBA when San Miguel reached out to him while he was playing in Mexico, asking if he would be willing to come in to replace Ivan Aska. He and Rakocevic were former teammates at the University of South California (USC).
Rakocevic was Magnolia’s import during last season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup where the Hotshots reached the semifinals before bowing to Barangay Ginebra.
“I was playing in Mexico and our season was about to be over when I got the call,” said the 27-year-old Boatwright, referring to San Miguel.
“The first person I called was Nick Rakocevic. He played with Magnolia last year. He played here so I got his opinion on everything and just came out here,” he added.
And what did Rakocevic say?
“Nick said I would love it out here. City of Manila, the PBA, and everything that comes with it. I was excited to see it myself,” said Boatwright.
Boatwright, however, did not actually need much convincing. He had basic knowledge of PBA history and even the championship culture of San Miguel.
“Everybody has told me about it. I heard about Ginebra, San Miguel, big fella (June Mar Fajardo) has won like 20 MVPs, I know it all. I know the history,” said Boatwright.
The only question was whether he can make the PBA Commissioner's Cup height limit of 6-9 and below. To be sure, Boatwright said he measured himself to know if he was below 6-10 by using a carpenter’s measuring tape. He also used a book so he can level his head on the wall.
“I did it myself. Probably wasn’t the most accurate because the book, and I didn’t get too close to the wall," said the import. Boatwright was then officially measured by the PBA and passed it. "I got measured here so no issue,” said Boatwright.
“With shoes on, I’m closer to 6-10. They wanted me to try it out. I was like, I’ll be fine,” he added.
Boatwright now is on the cusp of winning a PBA crown. If that happens, it will be his first as a professional player. Last season in Mexico, his team, Libertadores de Queratero, reached the semifinals but fell short of a title.
Asked when he last won a championship, Boatwright said: "High school."
Looking forward to Wednesday's Game 6 where a win will end Boatwright's drought, the import said, "Every game is hard to win in the finals. We expect it to be a tough game... But we will be ready."
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