Absence of naturalized players in Gilas' Asian Games roster questioned in Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Sen. Bong Go has raised questions over the non-participation of naturalized athletes following the early elimination of the Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team from the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
In a Senate Session on Monday, September 15, lawmakers questioned the status and availability of naturalized players for the national men's basketball team after the defending champions failed to advance past the group stage.
“Sabi ko, nasaan na yung naturalized player natin na minadali nga nating ipinasa rito sponsored by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. In fact, isa pa nga yon sa reason na nagpatawag ng special session dito sa Senado. Pero nagtataka po tayo kung bakit hindi po naihabol…Nakakalungkot po, sayang,” Go said.
(I said, where is our naturalized player that we actually rushed to pass here, sponsored by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan? In fact, that was one of the reasons a special session was called here in the Senate. But we are wondering why he wasn't able to make it in time... It's sad, such a waste.)
Go pointed out the absence of naturalized basketball player Bennie Boatwright as an example.
He noted that the legislative branch had expedited Boatwright’s naturalization process during a special Senate session to ensure his timely eligibility for national duty.
“Nasaan na yung ibang mga naturalized players na ipinasa natin dito na sana makakatulong dahil sila yung malalaki at maaaring makatulong sa atin sa rebound. Isa po ito sa titingnan natin, Mr. President kung sakaling magdinig tayo rito sa Senado. What went wrong? Ano pong nangyari sa mga naturalized players natin na maaaring magamit natin? Dahil ginawa po natin ang trabaho natin dito na maipasa rin po ito,” Go said.
(Where are the other naturalized players we passed here who could have helped because they are big and could assist us with rebounds? This is one of the things we will look into, Mr. President, if ever we hold a hearing here in the Senate. What went wrong? What happened to our naturalized players whom we could have utilized? Because we did our job here to pass them.)
Boatwright's naturalization has been approved by Congress.
However, due to a boycott of Senate sessions last June by the Cayetano bloc — of which Go is a member — Boatwright's naturalization was only approved on June 17 during a special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to Gilas Head Coach Tim Cone, Boatwright has yet to have a Philippine passport, as Marcos did not sign or veto the bill on Boatwright's naturalization. This means his naturalization lapsed into law by August 31.
Go said this following the loss of Gilas against China by 44-points.
Gilas, which the defending champion of the Asian Games, failed to reach the quarterfinal round after suffering a lopsided against China, 105-61.
This is the first time in the program’s history that the Philippines missed the Asian Games quarterfinals.
The early exit comes three years after the then Justin Brownlee-led squad secured the country's first Asiad hoops gold in 61 years.
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