Bennie Boatwright is in town to submit his requirements and appear before the Congress for his naturalization. If he's granted citizenship, he will serve as backup to Justin Brownlee for Gilas Pilipinas.
The road to becoming a naturalized Filipino continues for Bennie Boatwright.
Gilas Pilipinas coaches Tim Cone and Richard del Rosario confirmed this to reporters Sunday, Nov. 16.
Apparently, the former San Miguel import is in town to attend a hearing in Congress about his naturalization.
“He arrived this morning. May scheduled hearing siya sa 19th for his naturalization process. He’s here until the 20th,” Del Rosario told some reporters after Ginebra’s 102-93 win over Phoenix at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright says decision to undergo naturalization process for Gilas a ‘no brainer’]
The process hit a snag in early this year because of the mid-term elections.
But now, Del Rosario is just happy that the process is ongoing again, which, if it pushes through, will give Gilas an additional option at the naturalized position aside from Ange Kouame and Justin Brownlee.
[ALSO READ: Juan GDL part of Gilas pool for FIBA WC Asian Qualifiers, says Cone]
Brownlee remains the primary reinforcement for the national team.
“We’re happy na natutuloy na ulit 'yong process ng naturalization sa Congress,” said Del Rosario.
While he’s here, Boatwright will also show up in the national team’s practice for Window 1 of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers.
“We’re trying to make him visit 'yong practices ng Gilas para makita niya rin kung paano ginagawa ng Gilas,” said Del Rosario.
“But he won’t be practicing. He will just be there to be present, magpakita lang siya muna. Most important thing now is matuloy na 'yong process and, hopefully, kung magtuluy-tuloy na. Then we’ll get him naturalized.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.