Where’s Bennie?

MANILA, Philippines — Would-be naturalized player Bennie Boatwright has postponed his return to the country twice and is still undergoing treatment to recover from heel surgery last August. The initial report was Boatwright would be back to play for San Miguel Beer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup early last December. Then, he moved his return to January and now, it’s delayed to late February.

Contrary to early accounts, it wasn’t a ruptured Achilles tendon that required surgery. Boatwright had a cyst on his heel bone removed. His naturalization is in process but physical presence is required to finalize documentation. If he continues to be absent, Gilas may scout for another naturalization candidate but at the moment, Boatwright is the choice as Justin Brownlee’s heir apparent.

Both Gilas assistant coach/team manager Richard del Rosario and San Miguel Beer team manager Gee Abanilla are in contact with Boatwright. San Miguel pinned its hopes on Boatwright returning in time to lead the Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Without Boatwright, San Miguel signed up Quincy Miller, Torren Jones, Jabari Narcis and Malik Pope one after the other. There was also an attempt to bring back Chris McCullough as early as the past conference but talks bogged down. George King was another import candidate for San Miguel in the Governors’ Cup but wound up with Blackwater instead. This conference, San Miguel failed to advance to the quarterfinals, missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years after a streak of 22 straight appearances.

Boatwright, 28, made a strong impression on Gilas officials in lifting San Miguel to the Commissioner’s Cup crown last season, averaging 30.9 points, 12 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 13 games. From the PBA, he moved to China and normed 15.4 points with the Shanxi Loongs. Before returning home to LA from China, the 6-8 3/8 Boatwright dropped by Manila to initiate his naturalization process last April.