MANILA, Philippines — Help is on the way as sweet-shooting Bennie Boatwright is set to reunite with San Miguel Beer and help the Beermen’s title quest in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Thr Beermen slumped to their fourth loss in seven games following 101-120 lopsided loss to the Magnoloa Hotshots last Sunday.
SMB, the winningest ballclub in PBA history, played all-Filipino as import Justine Patton has gone AWOL (absence without leave) since the team suffered a 116-112 defeat at the hands of league-leader Rain or Shine.
After the Beermen’s 19-point shellacking from Magnolia, coach Leo Austria confirmed to reporters that the 6-10 Boatwright is already free after his commitment with Korean Basketball League squad Daegu Kogas Pegasus ended last week. “We’re waiting for Boatwright. Maybe in the next game, he’ll be there already” Austria said.
Boatwright, who is also a Gilas naturalized player candidate, is best remembered for leading the Beermen to the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup championship after beating Magnolia in the Finals in six games.
His impending return is a timely tonic for SMB, which has already lost back-to-back games owing to its import woes.
The team began the conference with Marcus Lee, who proved to be ineffective as SMB limped to a 1-2 start.
Patton came over from there and helped SMB to two victories in three games before his sudden disappearance.
Good news is, Boatwright, once he concludes his exit interview with his Korean ballclub, can already fly in to the country and begin practicing.
SMB has several days to get Boatwright acclimated before the former USC Trojan makes his second tour of duty official when the Beermen clash with third running NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, April 19 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“We’re very frustrated with what happened,” Austria said, pointing to Patton’s absences from practice since their loss to the Elasto Painters. “I don’t knkw what consequences he will have to face from there. While were humans and we forgive, but he has to face the consequences.”
