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Tag: Gilas Pilipinas

  • The Philippine’s loves basketball — but we’re neglecting other champions

    The Philippine’s loves basketball — but we’re neglecting other champions

    Basketball is undeniably the heartbeat of Philippine sports.

     

    From packed barangay courts to primetime television slots, the game dominates our culture in a way no other sport does. The Philippine Basketball Association remains one of Asia’s oldest professional leagues. Gilas Pilipinas continues to compete fiercely in international tournaments. And to be fair, we are not irrelevant in Asia — far from it.

     

    In fact, the Philippines is consistently considered one of the top basketball nations in Asia. We’ve earned respect on the continental stage. We’ve beaten powerhouses. We’ve produced legends. In Southeast Asia, we’re often the gold standard.

     

    That reality deserves acknowledgment.

     

    But here’s the harder truth: being strong in basketball doesn’t mean we should pour nearly everything into it.

     

    Because while basketball thrives structurally — with funding pipelines, media coverage, sponsorships, and grassroots programs — many of our world-class athletes in other sports are forced to rely on private sponsors, personal funding, and overseas training just to stay competitive.

     

    Take Carlos Yulo. A world champion in gymnastics. A Filipino who has stood atop global podiums in a sport where the margins are razor thin and the competition is relentless. His success wasn’t built on a nationwide gymnastics infrastructure comparable to basketball’s. It required sacrifice, overseas training, and sustained backing that often felt fragile.

     

    Or EJ Obiena, who didn’t just participate internationally — he became one of the world’s elite pole vaulters, competing toe-to-toe with the best in the planet. His journey included public funding disputes and financial uncertainty, even while carrying the Philippine flag on the global stage.

     

    Then there’s Alex Eala, who broke barriers in tennis — a sport historically inaccessible to most Filipinos due to cost. Her development required training abroad, international exposure, and significant private backing. Tennis is not a systemically supported pipeline locally, yet she has managed to push into elite territory.

     

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    And we cannot ignore the rise of Philippine football.

     

    The Philippines women’s national football team — the Filipinas — made history by winning gold in the Southeast Asian Games, proving that with structure and belief, the country can compete beyond basketball. Their World Cup qualification run ignited national pride, yet funding and sustained investment remain inconsistent.

     

    The Philippines men’s national football team, too, has experienced periods of resurgence, building momentum despite limited long-term structural support compared to basketball.

    So the question isn’t whether basketball deserves support.

    It does.

     

    The question is whether it deserves disproportionate support at the expense of other sports where Filipinos have already proven they can be world-beaters.

     

    Why do we wait for an Olympic medal before scrambling to fund an athlete? Why do many non-basketball stars have to seek corporate sponsors just to afford international competitions? Why do some rely on personal savings, fundraising, or foreign training programs while basketball systems operate with relative stability?

     

    This imbalance isn’t just a funding issue. It’s a mindset issue.

     

    Basketball dominates headlines even when results are routine. Meanwhile, breakthroughs in gymnastics, athletics, tennis, or football often need to be historic before they trend. We celebrate them loudly — briefly — then shift back to the hardwood.

     

    Imagine what would happen if we institutionalized support for multiple sports the way we do basketball. Imagine regional training centers for athletics. Imagine accessible tennis development programs. Imagine a fully funded football grassroots structure nationwide. Imagine athletes not having to choose between representing the country and financial stability.

     

    We are good at basketball in Asia. That is a fact.

     

    But we are capable of being great in more than one sport.

     

    The Philippines does not lack talent. It lacks balanced investment.

     

    Supporting other sports more aggressively is not anti-basketball. It is pro-Filipino excellence. It means recognizing that a country of over 100 million people should not hinge its entire sporting identity on a single game — no matter how beloved it is.

     

    Basketball built our sporting culture. But diversification could build our sporting future. And if we truly want sustained global relevance — not just regional dominance — it’s time to fund that future properly.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee shifts focus to Gilas Pilipinas after Meralco’s EASL exit

    Justin Brownlee shifts focus to Gilas Pilipinas after Meralco’s EASL exit

    The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team Meralco Bolts saw their East Asia Super League (EASL) campaign come to another disappointing end after absorbing an 88-79 defeat to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in a virtual knockout match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, February 11.

     

    With a playoff berth on the line, the Bolts entered the contest needing a win to keep their Final Four hopes alive. Instead, they struggled to keep pace with the disciplined and well-balanced Golden Kings, who executed down the stretch to silence the home crowd and secure their spot in the next round.

     

    The loss marked the third consecutive season that Meralco has fallen short of the EASL playoffs. The Bolts finished the elimination round third in Group B with a 3-3 win-loss record, trailing the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Golden Kings in the standings. Despite flashes of promise throughout the tournament, Meralco once again found themselves just outside the cutoff line.

     

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    At the center of Meralco’s campaign was veteran forward Justin Brownlee, long regarded as the team’s stabilizing force in high-stakes games. However, the 37-year-old endured an uncharacteristically difficult outing against Ryukyu’s swarming defensive schemes.

     

    The Golden Kings focused on limiting Brownlee’s touches and forced him into contested attempts, disrupting the offensive flow that typically runs through him. Without his usual scoring efficiency, Meralco struggled to generate consistent half-court offense.

     

    Still, Brownlee reflected on his stint with the Bolts with gratitude rather than frustration.

    “I definitely enjoyed my time here with Meralco. They welcome me with open arms. Everybody was just so positive — from the coaches, the bosses, to my teammates. It was special,” Brownlee said in a media interaction after the game.

     

    He also highlighted the camaraderie within the squad, noting the opportunity to share the court with high-level talent.

     

    “We got a chance to play with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Unfortunately, he got injured. Ismael Romero, Iran star Sina Vahedi — just the whole team. It was very fun to play with the guys. It’s always great to represent the Philippines,” he added.

     

    With Meralco’s EASL journey officially over, Brownlee now turns his attention to international competition. He is set to rejoin as the national team prepares for the second window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this month.

     

    The Philippines face a daunting challenge with matchups against regional heavyweights Australia and New Zealand — two programs widely regarded among the strongest in the Asia-Pacific zone.

     

    “It’s definitely going to be tough. New Zealand and Australia are obviously two of the toughest teams in Asia. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully, we can play better than the last time we did against both of them. Hopefully, we can get a win or maybe even two,” Brownlee said.

     

    For Brownlee, the quick turnaround from club disappointment to national duty presents both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to channel the lessons from Meralco’s near miss into a renewed push on the international stage.

     

     

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  • Gilas awaits Kai Sotto’s status for crucial home games

    Gilas awaits Kai Sotto’s status for crucial home games

    For Gilas Pilipinas, Kai Sotto has long been more than just a centerpiece — he has been a matchup problem, a safety net, and, in Tim Cone’s own words, a luxury.

     

    Now, that luxury may not be available.

     

    As the Philippines gears up for a critical FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window at Mall of Asia Arena, uncertainty surrounds Sotto’s participation in home games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1. Fresh off an ACL recovery and a recent ankle scare in his return to action, the 7-foot-3 anchor’s health remains the biggest question hovering over Gilas’ preparations.

     

    “Too early to tell at this point,” Cone told the Inquirer when asked if Sotto’s potential absence could impact the team’s buildup.

     

    Originally, this window was supposed to mark Sotto’s full-circle return to the national squad after missing most of 2025 due to the knee injury he sustained while playing for the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League. Instead, Gilas may once again find itself recalibrating without its towering presence.

     

    The timing couldn’t be more delicate.

     

    The Philippines is coming off dominant wins over Guam in the first window, but the level of competition now rises sharply. New Zealand and Australia are not only regional heavyweights — they are teams that handed Gilas painful defeats in last year’s FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah. The Tall Blacks outclassed the Filipinos in group play, while the Boomers dismantled them in the quarterfinals.

     

    Sotto was instrumental the last time Gilas tasted victory over New Zealand. On November 21, 2024, he delivered 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in a historic 93-89 win — the Philippines’ first-ever triumph over the Tall Blacks in a FIBA-sanctioned match. 

     

    Across four Asia Cup Qualifiers games, he averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, emerging as one of the team’s top offensive options behind Justin Brownlee and Dwight Ramos.

     

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    With Kai Sotto’s availability uncertain, Gilas Pilipinas prepares for crucial home games against New Zealand and Australia, as Tim Cone vows the team’s winning mindset remains unchanged.

    Removing that production leaves a noticeable void — particularly against physically imposing squads like New Zealand and Australia.

     

    Still, Cone is careful not to frame Sotto’s situation as a crisis.

     

    “We are so much better if he is healthy and can join us,” said Cone. “But we are ready to play and win without him, if necessary.”

     

    The message is clear: the system must hold, with or without its tallest pillar.

     

    Cone has also emphasized patience. Rushing Sotto back, especially after major knee surgery, is not part of the long-term plan.

     

    “Hopefully, getting Kai back and reintegrating him back into the lineup will be our most pressing goal,” Cone said, as quoted in a news article posted on the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas website.

     

    In the meantime, Gilas prepares for its toughest home stand yet — one that could shape its qualification path and redefine its identity. With Sotto, the team gains length, rim protection, and offensive versatility. Without him, it leans heavier on chemistry, execution, and collective resilience.

     

    Either way, the challenge remains the same: defend home court against Oceania’s best.

    And prove that Gilas is more than just one towering advantage.

     

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  • Kai Sotto left out of Gilas Pilipinas roster for FIBA Window 2, status still uncertain 

    Kai Sotto left out of Gilas Pilipinas roster for FIBA Window 2, status still uncertain 

    Speculation has been running rampant online about Gilas Pilipinas’ lineup for Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Social media has been abuzz after names and photos of a supposed “Final 12” appeared on FIBA’s official website for the games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1.

     

    The roster posted included Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Justin Brownlee, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown. Notably missing was 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who has just returned from an ACL injury and resumed play with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League.

     

    Despite the online buzz, Gilas head coach Tim Cone emphasized that nothing has been finalized. “No, not at all,” Cone said when asked if the lineup had been set. “That is still very much to be determined.”

     

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    Cone has previously expressed excitement about Sotto’s potential return to the national team after sitting out more than a year. “We’re excited about Kai, but still tempering expectations,” Cone said. 

     

    “We hope he can join us fully.” The Gilas coach added. 

     

    Sources, however, suggest that Sotto, only three weeks into his comeback, is unlikely to be available for the February window, leaving his participation uncertain. The final roster will typically be confirmed after the manager’s meeting held just days before the first game.

     

    The FIBA webpage posting echoes the lineup from Window 1 last year, which still included retired veteran Japeth Aguilar, underscoring that online rosters can be misleading until officially ratified.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas is set to kick off preparations for Window 2 on February 16, but until then, the lineup remains a work in progress—and fans will have to wait to see who will actually take the court against two of Asia’s toughest opponents.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas will kick off preparations for the upcoming FIBA window on February 16, but the national team faces a major challenge: Kai Sotto is “unlikely” to join the 10-day camp, his camp confirmed via text message. The sessions are set to take place in Pasig and at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

     

    The absence of the 7-foot-3 center leaves a huge gap for Gilas. While the team still has plenty of talent, losing their tallest and most dominant player significantly weakens their frontcourt. As comparisons go, Gilas without Kai is like the Lakers without Luka or San Miguel Beer without June Mar Fajardo.

     

    Sotto has always been committed to the national team, but his circumstances have changed. After tearing his ACL in January 2025, he’s slowly working his way back with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over four games

    .

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    A minor ankle sprain, however, forced his camp to prioritize recovery over attending Gilas training.

    While he hasn’t ruled out playing in games against New Zealand (Feb. 26) and Australia (March 1), skipping camp is a big setback. 

     

    His team believes staying in Japan for focused rehabilitation gives him the best chance to return stronger.

     

    Kai Sotto has long been a symbol of hope for Philippine basketball. This pause may be disappointing, but protecting his health ensures the country will continue to have its towering presence for future FIBA windows and beyond.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas gets 10-day preparation window ahead of second window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    Gilas Pilipinas gets 10-day preparation window ahead of second window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    Timing, more than talent, has often been Gilas Pilipinas’ biggest opponent. This time, Tim Cone finally gets a break.

     

    After weeks of coordination and calendar juggling, the Gilas coach confirmed that the national team will open its training camp on February 16—giving him the 10-day preparation window he has long pushed for ahead of the next FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

     

    The original plan was far from ideal.

     

    “Our initial date was Feb.11, but we could only secure four players for practice,” Cone told sources, underscoring the familiar challenge of aligning schedules across leagues and countries.

     

    Rather than force a half-built lineup into early workouts, Cone and the Gilas program opted for patience. The adjusted start date lines up with the arrival of key overseas-based players while still fitting the coach’s preferred preparation timeline for two high-stakes home games.

     

    “So we’ve moved it to Feb 16, which is when the Japan and Korea guys will start trickling in,” Cone said. 

     

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    That group includes a returning Kai Sotto, now back in action with the Koshigaya Alphas after recovering from an ACL injury, along with fellow B.League standouts AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, and Quentin Millora-Brown. From the Korean Basketball League, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo are also expected to report.

     

    The extra week also serves a crucial purpose closer to home. Fresh off a bruising PBA Philippine Cup Finals, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana will benefit from added recovery time before shifting gears back into national duty.

     

    “The guys coming from the finals will have extended rest before restarting,” Cone noted.

    Gilas will open the second window of the qualifiers on February 26 against New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena, before facing Australia on March 1 at the same venue. The Philippines currently sits atop Group A alongside the Boomers, both sporting perfect 2-0 records—raising the stakes for a window that could shape the group’s hierarchy.

     

    For Cone, the reset isn’t about comfort. It’s about control—finally giving Gilas enough time to come together, settle roles, and prepare properly before stepping back onto the international stage.

     

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  • Kai Sotto posts back-to-back double-doubles in B.League return

    Kai Sotto posts back-to-back double-doubles in B.League return

    A week can make all the difference in the life of an athlete. For Kai Sotto, the journey back from ACL surgery has been a painstaking mix of doubt, sweat, and incremental progress—but this past weekend offered a glimpse of what determination can achieve.

     

    The 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas center posted consecutive double-doubles for the Koshigaya Alphas, with his Sunday performance standing out: 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and a block, helping Koshigaya edge Levanga Hokkaido 81-80. 

     

    The victory was more than a narrow win—it ended Hokkaido’s 13-game home winning streak and came against the top team in the Eastern Conference.

     

    Just a day earlier, Sotto had already hinted at a resurgence, tallying 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in an 88-81 loss to Hokkaido. “Right now I feel like I’m rock-bottom and but the only way is up. I can’t stop,” he admitted candidly after the game. 

     

    “I just need more reps, more games and once I get in game shape, I think I’ll be good again. But it’s a difficult task and I’m taking it day by day.”

     

    The difference between Saturday and Sunday wasn’t just in the numbers—it was in the aura of confidence Sotto carried onto the court. 

     

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    Whereas Hokkaido’s Dwight Ramos had torched the Alphas in the first game, Sotto anchored both ends of the floor in the rematch, neutralizing Ramos entirely and guiding Koshigaya to a morale-boosting triumph. 

     

    The win nudged the Alphas’ season record to 13-22, while Hokkaido suffered its ninth defeat in 35 outings.

     

    Beyond the stat sheet, the weekend signaled a psychological turning point for Sotto. After months of rehab, training, and self-doubt, the 20-year-old showed that momentum is built not in one grand leap but in consistent, determined steps forward.

     

    For Sotto, the climb isn’t over, and the FIBA window later this month looms as another test. But the weekend offered something concrete: proof that even when confidence hits rock bottom, persistence, patience, and opportunity can quickly transform struggle into impact.

     

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  • eGilas Pilipinas sweeps qualifiers, storms into Final 4 of eFIBA Season 4 Asian Qualifiers

    eGilas Pilipinas sweeps qualifiers, storms into Final 4 of eFIBA Season 4 Asian Qualifiers

    eGilas Pilipinas didn’t just qualify — it dominated.

     

    The Philippine national esports basketball team marched into the Final 4 of the eFIBA Season 4 Asian Qualifiers with a flawless run, sweeping all of its games in emphatic fashion to emerge as one of the tournament’s most feared contenders.

     

    The Season 3 Asian Qualifier champions powered through the qualifying rounds with an unblemished record, delivering dominant performances across the board. 

     

    The Filipinos opened their campaign with a clinical 40–0 shutout of Kazakhstan, before surviving a tight battle against Indonesia, 123–117, in what proved to be their toughest test of the qualifiers. 

     

    From there, eGilas shifted into overdrive, dismantling Malaysia, 130–66, and overwhelming Thailand, 197–137, behind a relentless offensive display. The sweep was capped by another emphatic 40–0 victory over Mongolia, sealing a perfect run and sending the Philippines into the Final 4 with maximum momentum.

     

    The sweep not only secured the Philippines a place in the Final 4, but also cemented its status as a legitimate favorite heading into the knockout stage set for Feb. 14 and 15, where a single ticket to the eFIBA World Finals in Doha, Qatar is on the line.

     

    Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia round out the Final 4 cast, setting up a high-stakes regional showdown for Asian esports basketball supremacy.

     

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    Organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), eFIBA is the sport’s official global NBA 2K competition, featuring national teams competing in structured continental qualifiers. The Season 4 World Finals in Doha form part of FIBA’s long-term build-up toward the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, also to be hosted in Qatar.

     

    What stood out in eGilas’ qualifying run was not just the volume of wins, but the manner of dominance. The Philippines overwhelmed multiple opponents with triple-digit scoring outputs, combining offensive explosiveness with defensive discipline — even handing out two shutouts along the way.

     

    Having previously proven competitive on the global stage in past eFIBA World Finals appearances, finishing fourth in the 2023 edition, eGilas now carries both experience and momentum into the Final 4 — a dangerous combination as the stakes rise.

     

    With Doha within reach, the Philippines is now just one strong weekend away from returning to the world stage, where Asia’s best will collide with elite teams from other regions.

     

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  • Bennie Boatwright’s KBL move keeps Gilas naturalization bid on track

    Bennie Boatwright’s KBL move keeps Gilas naturalization bid on track

    What initially looked like a complication in Gilas Pilipinas’ long-term plans may have quietly resolved itself.

     

    Bennie Boatwright, a key naturalization candidate for the national team, is staying put in Asia after securing a stint in the Korean Basketball League, easing concerns that his sudden release in Taiwan could derail his availability for future Gilas call-ups.

     

    Boatwright recently arrived in South Korea after signing with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, stepping in just weeks after his contract with the Taipei Fubon Braves was unexpectedly terminated. The development is significant not just for his professional career, but also for Gilas Pilipinas, which has been monitoring his situation closely as his naturalization process continues to move forward.

     

    That process gained momentum in November, when Boatwright appeared in congressional hearings alongside former University of the Philippines center Malick Diouf—being considered for the Gilas 3×3 pool—and Elizabeth Means of Gilas Women.

     

     At the time, the expectation was that Boatwright’s continued presence in Asian leagues would keep him within reach of the national program once eligibility hurdles are cleared.

     

    Those plans briefly appeared uncertain when Fubon cut ties with the American forward shortly after his return from a lengthy injury layoff—his first stint back in competitive action.

     

    “After careful evaluation and discussion by the coaching staff, it was ultimately decided to terminate the contract with Boatwright,” the Taiwanese club said in a statement released last week.

     

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    The move sparked concern that Boatwright might head back to the United States in search of opportunities, potentially distancing himself from the Asian basketball circuit—and from Gilas’ immediate radar. Instead, the opposite happened.

     

    Daegu KOGAS Pegasus swooped in, announcing his signing for the ongoing KBL season and providing Boatwright with a new platform in one of Asia’s most competitive leagues. His arrival also sets up an intriguing dynamic, as he now shares the locker room with former Gilas guard SJ Belangel.

     

    Boatwright wasted little time suiting up, making his KBL debut on Monday. While Daegu absorbed an 87–77 loss to the Goyang Sono Skygunners led by fellow Gilas prospect Kevin Quiambao, Boatwright managed to make his presence felt with eight points, signaling the start of what could be a crucial stretch in rebuilding rhythm and form.

     

    For Gilas Pilipinas, Boatwright’s move to Korea may prove timely. Remaining in Asia not only keeps him visible to national team stakeholders but also allows him to stay game-ready in a high-level environment while his naturalization process unfolds.

     

    What once appeared to be a potential roadblock has instead turned into a detour—one that still leads in the same direction for both Boatwright and Gilas.

     

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  • Newly naturalized Benny Boatwright released by Taipei Fubon Braves

    Newly naturalized Benny Boatwright released by Taipei Fubon Braves

    Bennie Boatwright, one of the leading candidates for Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player spot, has been released by the Taipei Fubon Braves, the Taiwanese club announced.

     

    The Braves confirmed that both sides mutually agreed to part ways, ending Boatwright’s stint with the team midway through the season. 

     

    Boatwright joined Taipei Fubon earlier this year after initially signing a tryout contract, quickly making an impression in international play. 

     

    He delivered a strong debut in the East Asia Super League (EASL), finishing with 21 points highlighted by five three-point conversions, a performance that helped earn him a full roster spot with the Braves.

    In P.League+ action, Boatwright appeared in four games and averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, providing floor spacing and frontcourt depth for the Braves. Despite showing flashes of his offensive versatility, his role remained limited as the team continued to adjust its import rotation.

     

    The former USC standout’s release has drawn attention in the Philippines, where he has been closely monitored as a potential naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas. 

     

    Boatwright has been on the radar of national team stakeholders due to his size, shooting ability, and familiarity with international competition, qualities seen as a strong fit for the Philippines’ system.

     

    Boatwright previously expressed openness to representing the Philippines if given the opportunity, and his name has been mentioned in discussions involving future FIBA tournaments, including Asian competitions where a naturalized big man is often a key component of the national team lineup. 

     

    His availability following the split with Taipei Fubon could potentially keep him in contention for Gilas duties, as it opens the door for him to sign with another overseas club or even explore opportunities in leagues with strong ties to Philippine basketball.

     

    For now, Boatwright remains a free agent, with his next move likely to play a significant role in shaping both his professional career and his chances of eventually suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas on the international stage.

     

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