Boatwright set to join Gilas in November FIBA window
MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is expecting Bennie Boatwright to follow the national team to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on November 23, giving him just a few days to integrate with the Philippine squad, which is preparing for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The American mentor said the 30-year-old Boatwright is still in action with his Chinese Basketball Association squad Fujian Sturgeons, and will only be granted release for the coming November window on Nov. 23.
“As of now, his team in China is only releasing him on the 23rd (of November),” said Cone, when contacted by The Manila Times to comment on the former San Miguel Beer import’s status.
Gilas is expected to regroup by Nov. 20 onwards as Japan B.League players Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown, Mike Phillips and AJ Edu, along with Korean Basketball League’s Kevin Quiambao, will be released by their respective teams for the November window.
Carl Tamayo, who also plays in the KBL, can’t join though due to an ankle injury.
The Philippines will be battling Syria on Nov. 27, followed by perennial Asian powerhouse team Iran on Nov. 30.
These will be two crucial games for Gilas Pilipinas, which remains in the hunt for a FIBA World Cup spot, thanks to the national squad’s back-to-back home wins last August against Jordan and Iran at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas enters the fifth window that will be held in Seremban, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, with an even 4-4 record, to occupy fifth spot at Group E.
Australia leads Group E with its immaculate 8-0 record, followed by New Zealand (6-2), while Iran and Jordan are tied for third to fourth spots at 5-3.
The Boomers have secured a World Cup berth already from the group, with the two next best squads expected to advance outright.
The remaining Asian qualification slot will be contested by the best fourth-placed teams coming from Groups E and F.
Cone knows the 6-10 Boatwright has a few days only to understand the Gilas system, and he is unsure how the former USC Trojan could learn things that quick, given the short period of time.
”I really can't be sure at this point. We'll see how he responds,” said Cone.
Boatwright currently averages 11.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists for Fujian, while shooting over 36 percent from three-point distance.
He officially became a naturalized player after securing his Philippine passport recently, and now adds to the growing list of naturalized players led by New York Knicks veteran Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame and Malick Diouf, who has been assigned to the Gilas 3x3.
Brownlee has been carrying the cudgels for Gilas in recent years. He managed to play against New Zealand in Auckland in July, before missing the away game against Australia, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas cited “multiple injuries on his right leg and knee.” Cone also recently, announced that the well-loved Gilas naturalized player and Ginebra import, is also dealing with a heart issue, which prevented him from reinforcing the national team in the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
