MANILA, Philippines — American sweet-shooting import Bennie Boatwright quietly arrived in Manila, signed his contract and joined San Miguel Beer’s morning practice on Tuesday, according to team manager Gee Abanilla.
“It’s now official, Bennie Boatwright signed with us already. He will be practicing with us today,” Abanilla said, in a message to the Manila Times early Tuesday morning.
The 6-foot-10 Boatwright’s arrival came at just the right time, what with the Beermen finding themselves abandoned by import Justin Patton, who has gone AWOL (absent without leave) since SMB lost to Rain or Shine, 116-112 last week.
The Beermen eventually lost back-to-back games by Sunday after playing all-Filipino against the Magnolia Hotshots, 101-120.
San Miguel’s morning practice on Tuesday was scheduled at 10 a.m., with Boatwright getting several days to get himself adjusted to the weather and reacquaint with his teammates led by June Mar Fajardo, CJ Fajardo, Jericho Cruz, Marcio Lassiter and Don Trollano.
The 29-year-old Boatwright is coming off a recent stint with the Daegu Kogas Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League where he averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
Obviously, his role at SMB will be bigger, but his familiarity with the team’s core a huge plus as the Beermen try to revive their playoff hopes in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
After Sunday’s games, San Miguel occupies eighth to ninth spots with Magnolia with similar 3-4 records.
San Miguel hopes to begin its redemption tour by Sunday when the team swings back to action, with Boatwright in tow against NLEX.
The former University of South California Trojan led the Beermen to the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup crown after beating the Hotshots in the Finals.
Boatwright is also a candidate for Gilas naturalization.
