Bennie Boatwright back in Manila as San Miguel turns to old reliable import 

San Miguel doesn’t just need an import—it needs a reset. And in a season already marked by sudden changes and missed connections, the Beermen are turning to something far more reliable: familiarity.

Bennie Boatwright is back in Manila.

The former San Miguel reinforcement, who powered the franchise to a championship run not too long ago, appeared to have wasted no time returning, posting a photo on Instagram from what looked like the upper floors of San Miguel Corporation’s headquarters in Pasig City. His early arrival adds urgency—and perhaps relief—to a team searching for stability.

Team manager Gee Abanilla had earlier shared that the club was working to bring Boatwright in as soon as he wrapped up his exit process with Daegu Kogas in the Korean Basketball League. Now, it appears that timeline has accelerated.

More importantly, the deal is already in motion.Boatwright has agreed in principle to return as San Miguel’s third import this conference, following short-lived stints with Marcus Lee and Justin Patton. The constant reshuffling has left the Beermen struggling to find rhythm—and the results have reflected that.

Their latest outing only underscored the situation. Forced to play all-Filipino after Patton failed to show up for their matchup, San Miguel absorbed a 120-101 loss to Magnolia—its second straight defeat. Without a reliable import presence, the team lacked both interior scoring and defensive anchor, exposing gaps that had previously been masked.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

MANILA, Philippines — Help is on the way as sweet-shooting Bennie Boatwright is set to reunite with San Miguel Beer and help the Beermen’s title quest in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

Read more: https://t.co/EZuH6ggtH6 pic.twitter.com/cDji9mBigk

— The Manila Times (@TheManilaTimes) April 13, 2026

That’s where Boatwright’s return becomes more than just a roster move. It’s a chance to restore identity. While his recent numbers overseas may not jump off the page—12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds with the Fubon Braves in Taiwan, followed by 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds with Daegu Kogas in Korea—his impact in the PBA has already been proven.

During his previous run with San Miguel, Boatwright wasn’t just productive—he was dominant.

He averaged a staggering 30.3 points and 12 rebounds per game en route to leading the Beermen to the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title. That campaign included a jaw-dropping 51-point explosion against Terrafirma, a performance that cemented his reputation as one of the most potent imports in recent league history.

More than the numbers, though, it was the fit. Boatwright thrived within San Miguel’s system, complementing its core while providing a consistent offensive focal point. He understood the pace, the spacing, and the expectations—intangibles that often take time for new imports to grasp.

Time, right now, is exactly what San Miguel doesn’t have. With the conference already underway and losses starting to pile up, the Beermen need immediate impact. They need scoring. They need presence. They need familiarity.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!