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Tag: Macau Black Bears

  • Rain or Shine heads into Governors’ Cup with confidence after rout of Macau Giant Pandas 

    Rain or Shine heads into Governors’ Cup with confidence after rout of Macau Giant Pandas 

    Rain or Shine enters the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup with momentum on its side after ending its preseason preparations on a high note.


    The Elasto Painters put together an explosive offensive performance on Tuesday, overwhelming the undermanned Macau Giant Pandas, 139-98, in their final tune-up game at Acropolis Gym in Quezon City.


    The victory allowed Rain or Shine to split its two preseason outings after falling to Converge in its first exhibition game last week, giving head coach Yeng Guiao a more encouraging glimpse of where his squad stands just days before the conference opens.


    One of the bright spots was Caelan Tiongson, who knocked down a pair of three-pointers during a decisive run that helped Rain or Shine quickly create separation and maintain control for the rest of the contest.


    While the scoreline was convincing, Guiao believes the preseason results are less important than helping the team regain its rhythm after a lengthy break and integrating returning import Aaron Fuller back into the system.


    “Isa [na talo] sa Converge, natalo kami pero okay naman. I think it’s part of the adjustment period after a long break and getting used to our import Aaron. Converge played a really good game against us.


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    Sa Macau, mukhang hindi pa sila kumpleto at mukhang hindi pa sila nakakapag-practice ng husto. They just got together. But at least, it’s a good way to get out of our regular practice routine and play games,” said Guiao.


    The veteran coach acknowledged that Macau was far from full strength, but he still welcomed the opportunity to face a different opponent before the start of the new conference, using the game as another step in fine-tuning his team’s chemistry.


    Despite missing several players, the Giant Pandas still featured notable contributors led by import De’Vondre Perry, Damian Chong Qui, Ramon Cao, and Kobey Lam.


    Macau head coach Marcus Elliot said the squad remains a work in progress, with the organization still awaiting the arrival and signing of additional players before its official campaign begins.


    Rain or Shine, meanwhile, now shifts its focus to the games that matter. The Elasto Painters open their Governors’ Cup campaign on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, hoping the encouraging finish to their preseason translates into a strong start in the season-ending conference.


    The Giant Pandas won’t have to wait long for another test either, as the guest team opens its own Governors’ Cup schedule against NLEX on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.


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  • PBA sets stage for Season 50 Governors’ Cup with schedule release 

    PBA sets stage for Season 50 Governors’ Cup with schedule release 

    The PBA has officially released the schedule for the Season 50 Governors’ Cup, with the season-ending conference set to open on July 10 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo with a doubleheader.

    The opening game will feature Terrafirma taking on Titan Ultra at 5 p.m., with Justin Strings set to make his debut as Dyip’s new import.


    The main game will see the NLEX Road Warriors begin their campaign against the Macau Black Pandas, marking the franchise’s first official game under incoming head coach Jimmy Alapag.

     

    NLEX enters the Governors’ Cup looking for a strong bounce-back after a disappointing Commissioner’s Cup playoff exit. The Road Warriors finished as the top seed in the eliminations and held a twice-to-beat advantage but were eliminated by TNT in the quarterfinals.

     

    The action continues on July 11 at the Ynares Center in Montalban, where Blackwater faces Rain or Shine in the opening game before Phoenix battles Magnolia in the second match of another doubleheader.

     

    The following schedule at Montalban features NLEX against Titan Ultra in the first game, while Converge makes its conference debut against the same guest team in the second matchup.

     

    One of the biggest debuts of the tournament comes on July 14, when prolific import George King makes his first appearance for San Miguel Beer as the Beermen take on the Macau Black Pandas at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

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    Meanwhile, Meralco opens its Governors’ Cup campaign on July 13 against Phoenix at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The league’s two reigning champions will also begin their title bids on July 19 at the Big Dome. Defending Governors’ Cup champion TNT Tropang 5G starts its title defense against the Macau Black Pandas, while newly crowned Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra faces the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

     

    The Governors’ Cup is scheduled to run until October 21, making it the longest conference on the PBA calendar this season. After the games on August 14 featuring Converge vs. NLEX and Meralco vs. Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the league will take a break before resuming on October 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    The return of action will feature NLEX against the Macau Black Pandas, followed by Terrafirma versus TNT.

     

    The September break will give way to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, as Gilas Pilipinas Men prepare to represent the country in the continental competition.

     

    Gilas will aim to defend the gold medal won by the Philippines at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where the national team captured the country’s first men’s basketball gold in 61 years.

     

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  • Tony Mitchell named starting import for Macau Black Bears in 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Tony Mitchell named starting import for Macau Black Bears in 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    The Macau Black Bears will begin their 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign with Tony Mitchell as their starting import.


    The 6-foot-7 American power forward was listed as the team’s official reinforcement in the roster submitted ahead of the mid-season tournament, putting him at the forefront of Macau’s opening lineup.

     

    Mitchell brings previous PBA experience into the role. He last played in the league during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, where he suited up for NLEX and made his presence felt with his athleticism and scoring ability.

     

    This time around, Mitchell is expected to lead the Black Bears on both ends of the floor as the guest squad looks to challenge the league’s established contenders.

     

    Serving as insurance behind him is towering Maltese center Sam Deguara. Although the 7-foot-5 big man was not included in the official roster, he is set to act as Mitchell’s backup option should Macau decide to make a change at the import spot during the conference.

     

    Macau will open its campaign on March 11 against the Converge FiberXers at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, marking the team’s first appearance in this season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

     

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    The Black Bears’ lineup also features several players familiar with the regional basketball scene. Ramon Cao is making his return to the PBA after previously playing for Hong Kong Eastern in last year’s edition of the tournament.

     

    Jenning Leung, a Brent International School alumnus, is also part of the roster, adding another link between Macau’s squad and Philippine basketball.

     

    Completing the lineup are Chao Xingzhao, Zhu Zhaojing, Damian Chongqui, Phoenix Shackelford, Liu Wenke, Li Jiashuo, Sun Meng, Li Xiaoxu, Li Zijie, Wang Yingran, Lao Chonpong, Chan Lihsing, and Gao Yufeng.

     

    The Black Bears will be guided by head coach Garret Kelly, with Rich Alvarez, Denzel Wong, Ram Manalang, and Wong Chichong serving as his assistants.

     

    Jacque Ruby will serve as team representative, while Mark Dandan takes on the duties of team manager as Macau prepares for its PBA stint.

     

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  • Converge braces for guest team Macau in Commissioner’s Cup opener

    Converge braces for guest team Macau in Commissioner’s Cup opener

    The Philippine Basketball Association ushers in its Commissioner’s Cup on March 11 with an unusual headliner: guest team Macau Black Bears stepping into the PBA spotlight against a revamped Converge FiberXers at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    The Black Bears and the FiberXers collide at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of the traditional opening doubleheader, but intrigue will already be brewing hours earlier.

     

    At 5 p.m., six-foot-nine rookie Geo Chiu makes his much-anticipated PBA debut as Terrafirma squares off with Titan Ultra, now under new head coach Rensy Bajar. For Chiu, it’s more than just a first game — it’s a test of how quickly he can translate his size and promise into impact at the professional level. For Titan, the coaching change signals a reset after a turbulent stretch, and the opener offers an immediate chance to set a new tone.

     

    Still, it is Macau’s arrival that reshapes the conference narrative.

     

    As a guest participant, the Black Bears expand the field to 13 teams, injecting a regional flavor into a competition traditionally dominated by local franchises. The club is reportedly preparing to alternate between 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara and former NBA player Tony Mitchell as imports — a combination that blends overwhelming size with high-level professional experience. That strategy alone hints at flexibility and ambition, suggesting Macau is not entering merely to compete, but to contend.

     

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    Waiting for them is a Converge side that didn’t just tweak its roster — it transformed it.

    The FiberXers made a statement by acquiring Calvin Abueva from Titan, and they’re not just getting energy and edge. 

     

    Abueva finished last conference as the league’s scoring leader, a reminder that his relentless motor now comes with consistent offensive production. Add Jonnel Policarpio from NLEX and Kurt Reyson from Meralco to the mix, and Converge suddenly boasts a deeper, more versatile rotation on both ends.

     

    Inside, the team tapped 7-footer Kylor Kelley from the NBA G-League to anchor the paint, giving them legitimate rim protection to pair with their revamped perimeter attack.

     

    But perhaps the biggest key remains Juan Gomez de Liano.

     

    Fresh off a breakout Philippine Cup, Gomez de Liano led the league in triple-doubles, highlighted by a 32-point explosion against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel that underscored his ability to take over big games. He capped the conference by steering Converge to the quarterfinals while averaging 19 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game — numbers that placed him firmly among the league’s rising stars.

     

    With Abueva’s scoring punch and Gomez de Liano’s all-around brilliance, the FiberXers enter the Commissioner’s Cup with legitimate momentum and heightened expectations.

     

    Beyond the marquee names, the conference itself carries added weight. The Commissioner’s Cup, traditionally featuring imports without height restrictions, often shifts the league’s competitive balance. Teams built around speed and spacing must now adjust to towering reinforcements and new tactical wrinkles.

     

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  • Macau Black Bears lean on size and familiarity with Sam Deguara, Tony Mitchell for PBA guest stint 

    Macau Black Bears lean on size and familiarity with Sam Deguara, Tony Mitchell for PBA guest stint 

    Experience and familiarity—two qualities often overlooked in import recruitment—are shaping the approach of the Macau Black Bears as they prepare for their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    Rather than gambling on unknown reinforcements, the guest team is turning to two names already recognizable to Filipino basketball followers: Sam Deguara and Tony Mitchell.

    Sources bared that the Macau management has already notified the league of its decision to bring in the duo for the midseason conference set to open on March 11.

     

    The move signals a calculated blend of extreme size and proven exposure to the Philippine style of play.

     

    Deguara, a 7-foot-6 center from Malta, is expected to become the tallest import ever to suit up in the league, surpassing previous height benchmarks while giving the Black Bears an imposing interior anchor. The veteran big man has made rounds across Asian tournaments and most recently suited up for the Zamboanga Valientes in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

     

    His arrival also places him above incoming TNT reinforcement Bol Bol and former Kia import PJ Ramos—both listed at 7-foot-3—highlighting just how rare Deguara’s size is even among global imports.

     

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    While Deguara brings unmatched length, Mitchell adds familiarity and versatility.

     

    Now 33, Mitchell previously played in the PBA with Purefoods and NLEX and was once a first-round selection of the Detroit Pistons in the 2013 NBA Draft. His ability to score from multiple positions and adjust quickly to league physicality gives Macau a steady offensive option.

     

    The pair also shares built-in chemistry, having already played together for the Black Bears in the East Asia Super League Home and Away Season 3, where Macau competed in Group B.

     

    Macau’s decision to bring back familiar pieces also reflects the strategic demands of the Commissioner’s Cup format, where teams must carefully manage their import rotations due to strict injury replacement rules. Should an original import be moved to the injury/reserved list, reactivation restrictions limit roster flexibility later in the conference.

     

    For the Black Bears, the approach is clear: minimize adjustment time, maximize physical advantage, and rely on players who already understand both the system and the intensity of Philippine basketball.

     

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  • Dwight Howard to PBA? Macau Black Bears explore blockbuster import move

    Dwight Howard to PBA? Macau Black Bears explore blockbuster import move

    The long-running question of whether Dwight Howard will ever suit up in the PBA is once again gaining traction—and this time, the possibility feels closer than ever.

     

    Sources told that incoming guest team Macau Black Bears are actively exploring ways to bring in the former NBA champion as one of their imports for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. While nothing has been finalized, the intent is clear: the Black Bears are aiming big as they prepare for their debut on Asia’s oldest professional basketball stage.

     

    “They are looking for ways to get Dwight and have him squeeze the PBA campaign into his busy schedule,” said the source. “It is not far-fetched and the Black Bears are doing their best to have him.”

     

    Howard’s connection to Philippine basketball is already well established. After an 18-year NBA career highlighted by a championship run with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020 bubble season, the eight-time All-Star made waves locally when he suited up for Strong Group Athletics in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Invitation.

     

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    That stint reignited talk of a possible PBA appearance, especially after Howard was previously linked to Converge. Those plans, however, never materialized due to the league’s import height limit at the time, which capped eligibility at 6-foot-8—effectively ruling out the 6-foot-10 big man.

    “I am so mad, I can’t help but scratch my head. How can there be a basketball league that has a height limit? Tell me, where in the world can you find a league that disallows big men to play,” said Howard in his TikTok video for Philippine sports-oriented scratch card company Go for Gold in 2024.

     

    Since stepping away from the NBA in 2022, Howard has remained active on the global basketball scene, including a stint with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan’s professional league later that year. Yet basketball is no longer his only focus.

     

    The biggest hurdle in the Black Bears’ pursuit may not be league rules, but Howard’s packed calendar. The former Slam Dunk champion has embraced life beyond the hardwood, appearing on Dancing with the Stars and, more recently, the British reality series Inside last November.

     

    Still, the interest from Macau suggests that the door to a PBA cameo hasn’t fully closed. If schedules align and logistics fall into place, the league could finally see one of the most recognizable big men of his generation step onto a PBA floor—something fans have been waiting years to witness.

     

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  • Macau Black Bears not allowed to sign Filipino players for PBA guest run

    Macau Black Bears not allowed to sign Filipino players for PBA guest run

    Macau’s long-anticipated entry into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup comes with a clear boundary: no Filipino players allowed.

     

    As excitement builds around the Macau Black Bears’ participation as a guest team, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial made it clear that the league is sticking to precedent. Despite the Black Bears’ history of fielding Fil-foreign players in international competitions, that option won’t be available once they step onto the PBA stage.

     

    “Tulad nung mga dati nating guest teams, hindi sila puwedeng mag-line up ng Filipino players,” Marcial said, underscoring the league’s intent to remain consistent with rules previously applied to teams like Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern.

     

    The clarification matters, especially given Macau’s recent past. The Black Bears once featured Fil-Ams Quentin Millora-Brown, Cole Micek, and Kascius Small-Martin—names familiar to local fans after the team even faced Gilas Pilipinas in a sendoff game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup.

     

    Since then, the trio’s paths have diverged. Micek was drafted by Rain or Shine but never signed, Small-Martin was removed from the draft list after failing to complete requirements, and Millora-Brown has since been declared a local player and is now playing professionally in Japan with the Chiba Jets, while also becoming eligible for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

     

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    Even if any of those players were to become available, Marcial reiterated they remain ineligible to suit up for Macau in the mid-season conference.

     

    “Dapat mga locals (Macau players) lang ang nasa lineup,” he stressed.

     

    Where the Black Bears will enjoy flexibility is in the import department. Like previous guest teams, Macau is allowed to carry two imports of different heights, with the option to replace one in case of injury—a setup similar to what Bay Area and Hong Kong Eastern previously utilized.

     

    “Ganun pa rin ang bibigay natin na concession. Puwede kang magpalit ng import kung ma-injured yung isa. Pero kapag ini-activate ulit yung original import, hindi ka na puwede ulit magpalit,” Marcial explained.

     

    The league’s leadership is now moving to formalize Macau’s participation. Marcial, along with PBA board vice-chairman Alfrancis Chua, is set to travel to Macau this week to meet with team owners Jackie Fung and Lukas Peng to finalize the Black Bears’ entry.

     

    As the Commissioner’s Cup approaches, the message is clear: Macau is welcome—but it will play by the same guest-team rules that came before it.

     

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