Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas’ potential naturalized player Bennie Boatwright (left) with team deputy Richard Del Rosario and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy in the Philippine Senate. File Photo from Facebook/Sonny Angara.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777955712344IMG_0887.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas’ potential naturalized player Bennie Boatwright (left) with team deputy Richard Del Rosario and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy in the Philippine Senate. <em>File Photo from Facebook/Sonny Angara. </em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expects the naturalization process of San Miguel Beer star Bennie Boatwright to resume on Wednesday in the Philippine Senate.</div><p>Following his return to the PBA to reinforce the Beermen in the ongoing Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Boatwright’s bid to be naturalized for Gilas Pilipinas is set to regain traction, according to SBP executive director Erika Dy.</p><p>The process briefly stalled after Boatwright suffered an Achilles injury, which sidelined the one-time PBA champion for a significant period. In 2024, then-Senator Sonny Angara initially filed Senate Bill No. 2646 in the 19th Congress to support Boatwright’s bid.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/4/19/now-back-in-ph-bennie-boatwright-optimistic-of-naturalization-bid-2300">READ: Now back in PH, Bennie Boatwright optimistic of naturalization bid</a></div><p>As the naturalization process resumes at the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, it will still be Justin Brownlee who represents Gilas in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers windows.</p><p>“Right now, it’s still Justin for the foreseeable future. Kapag naturalized na and may passport na, then doon lang natin maiisip kung ipapasok na siya sa lineup,” Dy shared.</p><p>Both Brownlee and Boatwright, however, are expected to represent the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games.</p><p>Meanwhile, Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means’ naturalization bids have already progressed.</p><p>“For Malick and Beth, their papers are already in Malacañang. Nandoon na tayo sa stage na ’yun,” said Dy, who is also expecting Means to play for Gilas 3x3 later this year.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/28jbFfTJRww?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The SBP expects the naturalization process of San Miguel Beer star Bennie Boatwright to resume on Wednesday in the Philippine Senate. #GilasPilipinas</p>

The SBP expects the naturalization process of San Miguel Beer star Bennie Boatwright to resume on Wednesday in the Philippine Senate. #GilasPilipinas

FIBA: Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization process expected to resume Wednesday

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FIBA: Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization process expected to resume Wednesday

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 05, 2026 12:46 PM PHT

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Updated May 05, 2026 02:45 PM PHT

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Basketball

FIBA

FIBA Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

SBP

Erika Dy

Tim Cone

Bennie Boatwright

Justin Brownlee

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