SEN. Juan Edgardo Angara has filed a proposed bill that intends to grant Filipino citizenship to Bennie Boatwright III, who is being eyed as the latest addition to the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team.
Angara, also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, filed Senate Bill No. 2646 last Monday which seeks to grant citizenship to the 27-year-old import who helped San Miguel Beer win the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno, who serves as SBP vice chairman, said he will also file a counterpart measure in the House of Representatives.
Angara filed the proposed measure after a preliminary meeting with Boatwright and SBP officials, including its president, Al Panlilio, who said the import is “the right guy” to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas.
Angara said Boatwright has expressed “strong willingness” to play for the Philippines, which will help in his citizenship bid.
If granted citizenship, Boatwright will be the fourth naturalized player available to play for the national team. The three others are Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Jordan Clarkson.
“Boatwright will be a very strong addition to the Gilas Pilipinas squad and will make us even more competitive in international tournaments, including the Asian Games, World Cup, and even the Olympics,” Angara said.
The six-foot-10 former University of Southern California Trojans star has had stints in the National Basketball Association (NBA) G League, the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Professional (LNBP), the Chinese Basketball Association, and the PBA.
As a USC Trojan, he was named to the All-PAC 12 First Team for the 2018-2019 season together with current NBA players Jaylen Nowell, KZ Okpala, and Matisse Thybulle.
In 2017, Boatwright was named the Most Valuable Player of the ESPN Diamond Head Classic. In 2019, he was part of the NBA Coaches All District Second Team.
