UMVA has learned that a major breakthrough has been achieved in the Philippines' quest to bolster its basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, with the Senate granting citizenship to American-born sharpshooter Bennie Boatwright.
This development brings Gilas Pilipinas one step closer to deploying Boatwright for its title defense in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, a move that could significantly boost the team's chances of success. The Senate's unanimous vote of 13-0 in favor of House Bill No. 6639 paves the way for Boatwright to don the Filipino jersey.
The bill, which grants Boatwright Filipino citizenship, was approved on third and final reading, along with House Bill 6644, which grants citizenship to Fil-Am wrestler Matthew Ramos. Both bills had previously been approved by the House of Representatives, and their passage marks the end of weeks of delays caused by the leadership impasse in the upper chamber.
With the legislation now cleared, it will be transmitted to the Office of the President for signing. If the President fails to act, the bills will automatically become law after 30 days, providing a vital window for Boatwright's documentation to be finalized in time for Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the Asian Games.
The Asian Games, set to take place from September 19 to October 4, will feature a unique twist, with the organizing committee implementing a passport-only requirement for participants. This development could work in Gilas Pilipinas' favor, as the team plans to field an exciting collaboration between current naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee and Boatwright.
Boatwright, standing at 6-foot-9, is expected to bring a new level of skill and expertise to the team. His potential debut for Gilas Pilipinas has generated significant excitement, and fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see him in action alongside Brownlee.
