Nano connect RP2040 with Pico SDK (Philhower) hangs when WiFi.localip() is called.

[rcds2]

WiFi module firmware: 1.5
WiFiNINA Library version: 1.8.14
Pico SDK version: 3.8.1

I am using the WiFiNINA WiFiPing unmodified example sketch.
New board, nothing connected to it.
I know the WiFi connection works properly because:

1. The same example sketch, unmodified, works fine when using Arduinos' MBED OS core.
2. When using the Pico SDK, I get a SUCCESS! ping reply when I comment out the line " IPAdress ip = WiFi.localIP();".

Please help!
Thank you in advance.