Can Bennie make it in time for Asiad?

MANILA, Philippines — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas intends to unleash Bennie Boatwright as a Gilas Pilipinas naturalized for the first time in the Asian Games set for Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Japan.

But that comes with prayers that Boatwright obtains his Philippine passport in time for the eligibility evaluations of the Asiad organizers.

“Hopefully,” SBP executive director Erika Dy said of plans to pair up Boatwright with Justin Brownlee for the Nationals’ title-retention bid in the continental meet.

The Senate, taking the cue from the House of Representatives, approved the bill granting Philippine citizenship to the 6-foot-10 sniper on third and final reading last June 17. Boatwright is now waiting for President Marcos to sign it into law, or for the bill to lapse in law, to secure his naturalization certificate from the Bureau of Immigration then a Philippine passport that will make him eligible for the Asiad.

“Kung meron tayong natutunan sa (last year’s) SEA Games (in Thailand), hindi natin alam talaga ang lineup (of eligible players) hanggang sa dulo dahil sa mga long list, short list (delegates). But the goal is paabutin siya (in the Asiad),” she said.

According to Dy, the Asian Games organizers will allow naturalized players to play together as long as they are passport holders and have met the three-year residency requirement.

“Ang rule natin sa Asian Games is actually no limit to naturalized players. Ang definition nila diyan is nasa Pilipinas for at least three years and we know Bennie first played for San Miguel three years ago so pasok siya doon sa residency,” said Dy.

“Ang issue na lang is passport talaga kung kelan lalabas kasi may long list, short list deadline tayo na hinahabol,” she added.