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Oct 27, 2026

Boatwright gets PH passport, paving way for Gilas duty

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy bared that Bennie Boatwright already secured his Philippine passport, thus formalizing his Philippine citizenship. “I just received a text message just before coming up to the podium that his passport is now ready,” said Dy on Tuesday during the SBP National Congress held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas. Boatwright’s final hurdle could clear the way for the 6-foot-10 former San Miguel Beer import to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas as a naturalized player in November as the national team resumes its 2027 FIBA World Cup bid in the Asian Qualifiers against Syria and Iran in Seremban, Malaysia. The former USC Trojan is now part of the Philippines’ pool of naturalized player, along with Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame. A week ago, the 30-year-old Boatwright took his Oath of Allegiance at the Philippine consulate in China, where Boatwright currently plays as import for the  Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association. Seeing Boatwright reinforce Gilas Pilipinas in the coming Asian Qualifiers will be a timely tonic considering that the 38-year-old Brownlee remains out of commission as he recovers from multiple injuries to his legs and hamstring, along with a heart condition, which national coach Tim Cone also revealed during a recent Senate committee inquiry on the Asian Games. The Philippines beat Jordan and Iran in the August Asian Qualifiers window despite playing with an all-Filipino crew led by local giants Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo, who retired shortly thereafter from playing for the national team. With two more windows left, the Philippines will try its best to sweep its last four games in the November 2026 and February 2027 windows. The Philippines will enter the November window with an even 4-4 record, just a game behind Iran and Jordan in Group E standings, which share similar 5-3 slates, behind Australia’s immaculate 8-0 record and New Zealand’s 6-2 card. The top three teams in the group will earn outright FIBA World Cup slots, while the best fourth-placed squad between Group E and F will also secure a spot in the tournament in Doha.