Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Bennie Boatwright

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

ANTIPOLO – Bennie Boatwright is confident his bid for naturalization will get back on track, following his return to the Philippines. The import reunited with the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA 50 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup last week and played his first game on Sunday. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/4/19/pba-boatwright-drops-41-points-in-return-as-san-miguel-escapes-nlex-2018">READ: Boatwright drops 41 points in return as San Miguel escapes NLEX</a></div>Boatwright is seeking to be naturalized to become eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas. In 2024, Boatwright&#x27;s naturalization began when then Senator Sonny Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2646 in the 19th Congress. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/9/sbp-staying-patient-on-boatwright-naturalization-national-concerns-come-ahead-2114">READ: SBP staying patient on Boatwright naturalization</a></div>Boatwright suffered an Achilles injury in August of the same year, putting the process on hold.  Last month, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/3/3/senate-justice-panel-discusses-naturalization-bids-of-gilas-prospects-1743">opened the deliberations on the citizenship bids</a> of basketball players Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means. The panel deferred the discussion on the proposal for Boatwright, since he was still playing in South Korea, making him unable to attend the hearing. &quot;I&#x27;m looking forward to it. I think we have like one more hearing in the Senate. And then I think I should be good to go after that. So it&#x27;s nice that I&#x27;m here,&quot; he told reporters after San Miguel&#x27;s 98-94 win over NLEX. &quot;I&#x27;m very confident. I&#x27;m just being patient,&quot; Boatwright added. The San Miguel import showed he&#x27;s still got it after putting up a huge scoring night for the Beermen in his first game back. Boatwright dropped 41 points and 11 rebounds in his return, shooting 3-of-5 from the four-point line.  The 29-year-old said he is not privy to details on the naturalization process since it is being handled by Gilas deputy coach Richard del Rosario. For now, Boatwright is staying positive and keeping himself ready when the time comes for him to suit up for Gilas. &quot;I keep that in mind every day when I&#x27;m training. So I&#x27;m just preparing, just preparing for it. I think it&#x27;s a real good opportunity that I&#x27;m grateful for,&quot; Boatwright shared.

Bennie Boatwright is confident his bid for naturalization will get back on track, following his return to the Philippines.

Bennie Boatwright is confident his bid for naturalization will get back on track, following his return to the Philippines.

Now back in PH, Bennie Boatwright optimistic of naturalization bid

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Now back in PH, Bennie Boatwright optimistic of naturalization bid

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 19, 2026 11:00 PM PHT

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Updated April 20, 2026 12:06 AM PHT

Read More:

basketball

PBA

Bennie Boatwright

Gilas Pilipinas

naturalization

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

SBP

San Miguel Beermen

PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup

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