Gilas Pilipinas fans shouldn’t let their hopes up with regard to Benny Boatwright’s naturalization, for now.
It appears Benny Boatwright’s naturalization hasn’t really made significant progress.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy bared that the Senate has yet to convene on the naturalization of the former San Miguel import, which if approved would allow Boatwright to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.
Since the Congress is out of session because of the midterms elections, lawmakers might only sit on it starting June.
“Obviously, it's election time so Congress is out of session. And we need the Committee on Justice to convene in order to hear his naturalization case. And I don't think that's going to happen until the earliest would be June,” said Dy after the SBP's National Congress on Friday, May 9.
“And of course, pagdating ng June, alam naman natin na nagre-reshuffle din yan ng committees and all of that. So I think the reasonable expectation, the time period, is after the SONA pa mahahain yung kanyang naturalization process.”
Department of Education secretary and then-Senator Sonny Angara commenced Boatwright's naturalization by authoring Senate Bill No. 2646.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright says decision to undergo naturalization process for Gilas a ‘no brainer’]
In a November 2024 interview, Gilas head coach Tim Cone said the process hit a pause after a series of issues within the national government.
“Bottom line is his papers got delayed because of the issues that are going on in the government. So, he got put on the back burner,” said Cone.
[ALSO READ: Naturalization process of San Miguel's Bennie Boatwright gets delayed]
With Boatwright's naturalization still pending, Gilas Pilipinas can call up the likes of Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Jordan Clarkson for upcoming tournaments.