Boatwright learning Filipino culture

AS Bennie Boatwright continues to process his papers to become a naturalized Filipino citizen, the former University of South California Trojan gets to learn Filipino culture.

A story on the Instagram page of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) showed him trying out halo-halo at a restaurant in Makati City, where he ate along with SBP president Al Panlilio, national team manager Richard del Rosario, executive director Erika Day and head coach Tim Cone.

Bennie Boatwright (left) TMT FILE PHOTO

“It was a very pleasant lunch, kwentuhan, me just finding out who he is, how he is; it was very relaxed, he even tried halo-halo,” Panlilio said on Sunday.

“@benniebuckets enjoying halo-halo,” the SBP wrote in their story.

Boatwright, who played for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup earlier this year, is in the country to process his Filipino citizenship in order to play for Gilas Pilipinas. He also played in China for the Shaanxi Loongs.

Should he be naturalized, he will join the likes of Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, Asian Games star Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and many others.

Panlilio earlier described the 6-foot-10 American as a “bigger version” of Brownlee, who is currently Gilas’ primary naturalized player.

Last January, during the Commissioner’s Cup regular season, Boatwright is known for scoring 51 points against the Terrafirma Dyip and he was part of the Beermen’s. — Aric John Sy Cua