GILAS Pilipinas is in a race against time to have naturalized player Bennie Boatwright get on board for the 20th Asian Games.
So far, time is winning the race against the national team.
National mentor Tim Cone feels cynical about the 6-foot-10 Boatwright making the Gilas roster in its gold medal retention bid in the Nagoya, Japan quadrennial showcase where the basketball competition starts less than a month from now.
“We’re hoping that Bennie would be alright to play in the Asian Games, but that looks very doubtful at this point,” Cone admitted.
“But you know, we’re still holding on hope.”
The naturalization process of Boatwright, 30, is just a signature away from being completed, but is considered the most crucial one as no less than the approval of President Marcos Jr. is needed for him to officially acquire a Philippine passport.
Even if the President doesn’t sign House Bill 6639, it will still lapse into a law after 60 days as what happened to the cases of naturalized players Malik Diouf and Elizabeth Means.
The bill on Boatwright’s naturalization though was approved by the Senate on third and final reading last June 17, meaning it would lapse into law within this coming week.
Still, there’s a lot work to be done.
As per Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy, Boatwright still has to take his oath-taking for him to secure a naturalization certificate from the Bureau of Immigration.
“Yun ang dadalhin natin sa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) para ma-issue-han siya ng passport,” said Dy.
But preparations and training for the Asiad begin to roll within the week at the SMC Sports Complex.
Boatwright is currently not yet in the country and won’t be returning from the US if it is not certain he’ll be playing for Gilas in Nagoya, Japan.
“Not unless he’s gonna play,” responded Cone when asked by SPIN.ph if the former San Miguel Beer import will be arriving in time for the start of Gilas’ practices.
The national team will be leaving early for the Asiad on Sept. 3 as it proceeds to South Korea first and play two friendlies with the Korean national squad.
The Filipinos will then leave for Japan on Sept. 7 in time for the start of the basketball competition on Sept. 10.
Gilas opens its gold medal defense on Sept. 11 against Bahrain.
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