In the world of the PBA, the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) are usually the ones making other teams lose sleep. They have the depth, the history, and a local core that could arguably compete in some mid-level international leagues. But in the 50th Season Commissioner's Cup, the Beermen have found an opponent they can’t seem to out-muscle: Pure, unadulterated bad luck.
If you thought the "stomach bug" drama at TNT was a headache, SMB just raised the stakes. Their import, Justin Patton, didn't just have a bad game—he went AWOL.
The "AWOL" Anomaly
It’s one thing for an import to struggle with the physicality of the league or fail to jell with the locals. It’s an entirely different beast when a 7-foot-1 former NBA first-rounder simply doesn't show up for a marquee matchup against Magnolia.
According to SMB team manager Gee Abanilla, the team had to risk playing all-Filipino because Patton was nowhere to be found. For a franchise that prides itself on professional standards, this is a massive embarrassment and a glaring "unlucky" mark on their scouting process. You can account for shooting slumps; you can’t account for a player vanishing on game day.
Enter Bennie Boatwright: The Proved, Productive, and Precarious Choice
With the Patton experiment ending in a disappearing act, the Beermen are sprinting back to a familiar face: Bennie Boatwright.
On paper, this is the ultimate "I told you so" move. Boatwright isn't just an import; he’s the "Ex-Factor" who helped anchor SMB’s previous championship runs. He understands the triangle nuances, he has the "unlimited" range that opens up the paint for June Mar Fajardo, and he’s already in the pipeline for Gilas Pilipinas naturalization.
However, the "unlucky" cloud hasn't fully cleared. While Boatwright is a proven commodity, he comes with a significant health question mark.
The Skill: We know he can drop 40 points while barely breaking a sweat.
The Risk: His history of lower-body injuries is the primary reason SMB moved on to Patton in the first place. Bringing him back is a high-stakes gamble—trading a behavioral "AWOL" risk for a physical "ACL/Achilles" risk.
The Situation: Boatwright’s stint with Daegu KOGAS in the KBL ended on April 8. He is reportedly either already in Manila or mid-flight. FIBA has already cleared the transfer.
Two Birds, One Stone?
The timing is poetic. Boatwright needs to be in the Philippines to attend Senate proceedings for his naturalization. By returning to SMB now, he can "hit two birds with one stone"—securing his future as a Filipino citizen while trying to save the Beermen’s Season 50 campaign.
The Reality Check: SMB is currently playing a dangerous game of "Import Roulette." If Boatwright is healthy, the league is in trouble. But if his KBL stint left him gassed or his previous injuries flare up under the PBA’s "pisikalan" (physical) style, San Miguel might find themselves searching for a third import before the Quarterfinals even begin.
Related Article: PBA Import Rumors: TNT Superstar import wants to leave?
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