Bennie Boatwright on explosive return for San Miguel: 'It's like I never left' 

Bennie Boatwright has returned to the PBA under circumstances strikingly similar to those he faced two years ago and he’s hoping history repeats itself.

In 2024, Boatwright made his PBA debut midway through San Miguel’s Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup campaign, stepping in as a replacement for Ivan Aska. He delivered immediately and eventually led the Beermen to the championship with a finals victory over Magnolia.

Two years later, Boatwright is back in the league as San Miguel’s third import in the ongoing Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. The situation feels familiar for the 6-foot-10 import and he’s seeking that this latest stint ends with another title.

"It's good to be back home. I appreciate coach and everybody for bringing me back as San Miguel's import. I'm just excited to be playing with the guys. You know, it's like I never left," Boatwright said.

"It’s seamless. The first day of practice felt like I never left. It felt like I was home. Coach did a good job of teaching me the plays early so that I have the understanding of it."

Boatwright posted 41 points in his first game back, highlighted by a two-handed slam that gave the Beermen a 96-94 lead amid a furious NLEX rally late in the fourth period. 

CJ Perez, one of the holdovers from the last time Boatwright was here, provided the dagger layup as the Beermen snapped out of their two-game slide to improve to 4-4. 

This may be their first win with Boatwright on board this conference, but head coach Leo Austria is already beaming with confidence and optimism that they could run it back with the American reinforcement. 

"Hopefully. The last time, what we did, during Bennie’s arrival in 2024 was in the middle of elimination and since that, we never lost twice in a row and eventually we won the championship," Austria said. 

"And we’re hoping that we can duplicate that kind of situation."

—JKC, GMA News