BENNIE Boatwright will not be able to make it in time for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the 2026 Asian Games despite the naturalization measure granting him Philippine citizenship having lapsed into law on Saturday.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy said the San Miguel Beer forward still has to go through additional requirements before he can secure his naturalization certificate and become eligible to represent the Philippines.
The most immediate hurdle is a mandatory 15-day publication period on the Official Gazette before the Bureau of Immigration can issue the certificate of naturalization.
“15 day publication is mandatory before BI can issue (certificate) of naturalization… so no, hindi aabot (si Boatwright sa Asian Games),” Dy said in a Viber message to Fastbreak on Sunday.
The naturalization bill was transmitted to Malacañang on July 30, based on House of Representatives records, and reached its 30th day without presidential action on August 29, allowing it to lapse into law.
However, the measure becoming law does not immediately make Boatwright eligible to play for the national team.
He still has to complete the necessary post-naturalization procedures, including the requirements involving the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine documentation.
Boatwright had previously been included in Gilas’ initial pool for the Asian Games as the national team explored options for its naturalized player.
His unavailability leaves Gilas without Boatwright as it prepares to defend its men’s basketball gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone had earlier indicated that Boatwright was unlikely to be available for the Asian Games because of the delay in completing his citizenship papers.
Boatwright has also been unavailable for the current FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers window, with Gilas instead fielding an all-Filipino roster in its games against Jordan and Iran.
Justin Brownlee, the Philippines’ regular naturalized player, is currently recovering from injuries, while Angelo Kouame remains under contract in France. (Adrian Co)
