Bennie Boatwright in action for San Miguel against NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, April 19, 2026 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. PBA Media
ANTIPOLO – Will it be smooth sailing for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup with the return of import Bennie Boatwright?
Head coach Leo Austria and CJ Perez are optimistic their import woes have finally been solved after reuniting with Boatwright.
The 29-year-old immediately made his presence felt in his first game on Sunday, dropping 41 points and 11 rebounds in their win against the NLEX Road Warriors at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Sunday.
READ: Boatwright drops 41 points in return as San Miguel escapes NLEX
Boatwright quickly found his rhythm, scoring 25 points in the first half, calmly draining shots from the four-point line.
Austria is confident Boatwright's familiarity with the Beermen will be among the keys to their success, just like in the PBA 48 Commissioner's Cup.
"Hopefully. The last time what we did during Bennie's arrival [in] 2024 in the middle of the elimination eh. Since then we have never lost twice in a row. And eventually, we won the championship," Austria said during the post-game press conference.
"We're hoping na we can duplicate this kind of situation that we have [now] to the year 2024," he added.
Perez said Boatwright's first game is proof that he fits well with the Beermen and he's the 'missing piece' of the team stacked with locals.
"I think yun yung nawawalang [piece] sa puzzle doon sa team namin eh. Every import conference nahihirapan kami maghanap ng import na nag-fifit sa San Miguel. I think Bennie is the answer doon sa struggle namin," he said.
As for Boatwright, he's glad to be playing again with the Beermen and to immediately get the win in his first game back.
"Yeah that's the goal of course. But me personally, I want to take it one day at a time. You know just stacking the wins.... To get this first win it feels very good as a team, myself and you know I'm excited moving forward," he said.
When asked about his confidence and ease in shooting three four-pointers, Boatwright said it feels 'natural' to him.
"I don't even notice that I'm behind the four-point line a lot of the time. I think it's a regular three. I'm trying not to shoot too many of them just to get acclimated. But I think it's kinda natural to get those shots so I'mma keep taking them," he said.
The San Miguel Beermen look to continue their winning ways when they face the Blackwater Bossing on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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