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Tag: Macau Black Knights

  • Macau Black Knights get second shot as PBA Governors’ Cup return confirmed

    Macau Black Knights get second shot as PBA Governors’ Cup return confirmed

    The Macau Black Knights are not ready to close the chapter on their PBA journey just yet.

     

    Months after falling short in their first appearance in Asia’s oldest professional basketball league, the guest team has secured another opportunity to prove it belongs, with the PBA Board approving its participation in the upcoming Governors’ Cup.

     

    For Macau, the return is less about simply taking part and more about building on the hard-earned lessons from a debut campaign that showed flashes of promise despite ending outside the playoff picture.

     

    The Black Knights entered the Commissioner’s Cup as newcomers facing a steep learning curve. Their early struggles reflected that reality, dropping their first seven games and appearing destined for a forgettable finish.

     

    Yet the team’s response in the latter stages hinted at untapped potential.

     

    Macau closed its campaign by winning three of its final five contests, including a memorable 105-98 upset of Phoenix, finishing with a 3-9 record that failed to earn a postseason berth but offered encouragement heading into the future.

     

    That future has now arrived sooner than expected.

     

    The Governors’ Cup presents a different challenge altogether, particularly because of the conference’s stricter import regulations. After relying on 6-foot-8 former NBA player Tony Mitchell in the Commissioner’s Cup, Macau is expected to field a smaller reinforcement in line with the tournament’s 6-foot-6 height limit.

     

    One option already linked to the team is Oscar Lopez, a 6-foot-4 product of Central Michigan University who gained regional recognition after suiting up as one of Cambodia’s naturalized players during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

     

    His profile suggests a shift in identity for the Black Knights, potentially emphasizing speed, versatility, and perimeter play rather than the size advantage they previously enjoyed.

     

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    Questions also remain about the roster that will surround him.

     

    The team’s initial PBA run featured several familiar faces, including Damian Chong Qui, Phoenix Shackleford, Jenning Leung, and Ramon Cao. Whether that core remains intact for the Governors’ Cup has yet to be determined.

     

    One of the most talked-about moments of Macau’s debut season centered on Chong Qui, who unexpectedly left the team in the middle of a game against Terrafirma before eventually returning later in the conference.

     

    While the incident generated speculation at the time, coach Marcus Elliot indicated after the season that the organization had already moved forward.

     

    Instead, Elliot has chosen to focus on what lies ahead.

     

    “We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next for us coming up,” said Elliot after the team’s final game of the conference.

     

    That next step now comes with familiarity, something the Black Knights lacked during their first PBA campaign.

     

    This time, Macau enters knowing the competition, understanding the travel demands, and carrying the experience of battling some of the league’s best teams. Whether that translates into a playoff breakthrough remains to be seen, but the opportunity to rewrite its PBA story is officially on the table.

     

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  • Macau Black Knights’ trio ignites late-game grit, crushes Blackwater’s playoff hopes 

    Macau Black Knights’ trio ignites late-game grit, crushes Blackwater’s playoff hopes 

    Macau’s campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup may be nearing its end, but its core trio made sure it wouldn’t go quietly.

     

    In a game that felt more like a battle for pride than position, the Black Knights leaned heavily on Jenning Leung, Damian Chongqui, and Ramon Cao to escape with a tense 123-119 victory over Blackwater on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.


    Leung and Chongqui fired 30 points each, while Cao poured in 29, accounting for 89 of the team’s total output. More importantly, their scoring came exactly when needed, steadying Macau through every Blackwater rally.

     

    “Damian had a big night, Jenning had a big night and Ramon. I’m really happy for Ramon and Jenning because they didn’t really play to their caliber in the last game against TNT,” head coach Marcus Elliott said.

     

    Macau looked in control early, stretching the lead to 13, but the game gradually shifted into a test of composure. Blackwater, despite missing import Robert Upshaw III for most of the contest due to a calf injury, refused to fold.

     

    Instead, the Bossing turned to their local unit, with Paul Zamar and Christian David stepping up with 21 points apiece. Their persistence nearly paid off when BJ Andrade trimmed the deficit to a single point, 120-119, in the final moments.

     

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    But in a game defined by its stars, it was Leung who delivered the final blow—two clutch free throws with 19 seconds left that ultimately sealed the win.

     

    Interestingly, Upshaw’s absence may have disrupted more than just Blackwater’s rotation.

     

    “I think that backfired on us, actually. I think it took the life out of Tony, it looked like his motivation went down a little bit, so I think that helped them with Upshaw not playing,” Elliot said.

     

    Tony Mitchell still produced a gritty double-double of 11 points and 22 rebounds, but Macau’s rhythm appeared briefly unsettled by the unexpected change in matchup dynamics.

     

    With the result, both teams now sit at 2-8, tied with the worst records in the eliminations. Yet the implications diverge sharply.

     

    For Macau, the win offers a chance to close its inaugural PBA stint on a high note, with upcoming games against Terrafirma on May 2 and Phoenix on May 9.

     

    Blackwater, on the other hand, faces a more complicated path. Despite the loss, the Bossing remain mathematically alive in the playoff race, thanks to earlier wins over Magnolia and San Miguel. However, their fate is no longer entirely within their control.

     

    They must now sweep their remaining assignments against Meralco on May 3 and Converge on May 9—and hope other results fall their way.

     

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  • Tony Mitchell praises San Miguel’s “system” and “chemistry” as Macau Slumps to 0-5

    Tony Mitchell praises San Miguel’s “system” and “chemistry” as Macau Slumps to 0-5

    The Macau Black Knights’ campaign as the foreign guest team in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup continues to spiral, as they remain winless through five games and anchored at the bottom of the standings.

     

    Despite showing signs of progress, Macau could not break through in their latest outing on Tuesday, March 31, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where they absorbed a 110-94 defeat at the hands of perennial powerhouse San Miguel Beermen. The loss underscored both the Black Knights’ ongoing struggles and the gap in cohesion and experience between them and the league’s elite teams.

     

    Macau came out with improved energy and execution compared to their previous performances, keeping the contest competitive for stretches. However, San Miguel’s depth, discipline, and well-established system ultimately proved too much, as the Beermen pulled away in the latter stages of the game.

     

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    Import Tony Mitchell Jr. once again led the charge for the Black Knights, delivering a solid all-around performance with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. The veteran reinforcement provided stability on both ends of the floor, but lacked sufficient support to seriously threaten the Beermen’s control of the game.

    After the match, Mitchell was candid in recognizing the strengths of their opponents, pointing particularly to San Miguel’s continuity and chemistry—qualities that have long defined the franchise’s success.

     

    “They have been playing for a long time, they have chemistry, some guys even played on the national team together. I have known these guys for a long time and I know they have a good coach and a good system,” Mitchell said.

     

    Mitchell, who is familiar with the PBA landscape, has previously competed against San Miguel during his stints as an import for the Star Hotshots in 2017 and the NLEX Road Warriors in 2019. His experience in the league has given him a clear perspective on what separates championship-caliber teams from rebuilding squads like Macau.

     

    “They move the ball well and they play each other so well because they have been with each other for so long,” he added.

     

    For the Black Knights, the challenge now is to translate their incremental improvements into tangible results. While flashes of competitiveness have begun to emerge, the team will need to tighten its defense, sustain offensive rhythm, and build better on-court chemistry if it hopes to turn its fortunes around in the tournament.

     

    With time running short in the elimination round, Macau faces increasing pressure to secure its first win and salvage pride in what has so far been a difficult introduction to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup stage.

     

     

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  • Macau coach clarifies the absence of Sam Deguara from Black Knights’ PBA roster

    Macau coach clarifies the absence of Sam Deguara from Black Knights’ PBA roster

    When the Macau Black Bears announced their entry into the PBA as a guest team, Filipino basketball fans immediately imagined one towering possibility — the arrival of 7-foot-6 center Sam Deguara.


    The Maltese giant has become a familiar presence in Asian basketball over the years, and many expected him to anchor the team when it rebranded as the Macau Black Knights for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. But when the team finally unveiled its roster, Deguara’s name was nowhere to be found.

     

    Macau head coach Garrett Kelly addressed the speculation during halftime of the Terrafirma-Titan matchup, explaining that Deguara’s absence had less to do with team plans and more with the realities of professional basketball.

     

    “Sam’s been with us, we love Sam. He’s part of our family. He’s been with us for almost two years now, off and on. But, at the end of the day, professional basketball players are independent contractors. And they gotta go where their money is.” he said.

     

    Instead of joining the Black Knights in the PBA, the towering center opted to continue his career in Taiwan, where he currently plays in the P.League+.

     

    Kelly said the decision was one he fully understands, especially considering the short window most athletes have to maximize their careers.

     

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    “Their career is a short span of their life. If you’re lucky, ten years. If you’re really lucky, more than ten years. But in reality, it’s as long as your body holds up. And Sam obviously has one of the largest bodies on earth for a basketball player. He keeps himself in phenomenal shape, and he’s a great teammate and a great person,” the Black Knights head coach said.

     

    Still, the door remains open. Kelly revealed that he maintains regular communication with the Maltese center and would welcome him back should the opportunity arise during the conference.

     

    “We wish him the best. I keep in touch with him. I talk to him once a week. If and when we have an opportunity for him, we’d love to have him back. So we’ll just have to wait and see,” said Kelly.

     

    For now, Deguara continues to make an impact in Taiwan. Through his first three games in the P.League+, the 34-year-old big man is averaging 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists — numbers that highlight why he remains a sought-after presence across Asian leagues.

     

    Over the years, Deguara has built a unique basketball journey throughout the region. Since arriving in Asia in 2017, the towering center has suited up for teams in Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, and even the Philippines with Alab Pilipinas-San Miguel in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League.

     

    While fans may have hoped to see his massive frame dominating the paint in the PBA once again, his career path continues to take him across Asia — proving that in professional basketball, opportunity often dictates the next destination.

     

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  • Tony Mitchell feels ‘at home’ in PBA return despite Macau loss

    Tony Mitchell feels ‘at home’ in PBA return despite Macau loss

    For Tony Mitchell, stepping back onto a Philippine Basketball Association court felt less like a comeback and more like returning to familiar ground.

     

    Mitchell made his latest PBA appearance with the Macau Black Knights in their debut outing in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. While the result didn’t go their way—a 102-94 loss to the Converge FiberXers at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium—the veteran forward still relished the chance to once again play in front of Filipino basketball fans.

     

    Mitchell delivered a double-double performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Macau stay within striking distance for most of the contest before Converge seized control late in the fourth quarter.

     

    A decisive 14-0 surge by the FiberXers, sparked by guard Alec Stockton, ultimately created the separation that sealed the win.

     

    Still, the game carried deeper meaning for Mitchell beyond the numbers on the scoreboard.

     

    “It was exciting, man. For me, the Philippines is home,” Mitchell said. “In reality, it really is home for me. I love the culture, I love the people.”

     

    The former NBA forward has built a unique bond with the local basketball scene through the years, one that extends far beyond his time in the professional league.

     

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    “I have people here that I call family—from PBA, Tondo,” he added.

     

    During his time away from the PBA, Mitchell remained a familiar presence in community leagues and regional tournaments across the country. He spent the past few years playing in various competitions, including the popular grassroots circuit known as Ligang Labas.

     

    Those experiences, he said, helped strengthen his connection with the Philippines and its passionate basketball culture.

     

    “Shoutout to everybody in the Ligang Labas.”

     

    Now back on the PBA stage, Mitchell hopes to help the Black Knights carve out their place in a conference stacked with established franchises and towering imports.

     

    “For me this is a lifetime experience and I’m just happy and glad to be back,” Mitchell said.

     

    As Macau continues its first campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup, Mitchell and the Black Knights will try to translate that sense of belonging into their first win in the tournament.

     

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  • PBA Commissioner’s Cup opens with Titan–Terrafirma clash, Converge faces Macau

    PBA Commissioner’s Cup opens with Titan–Terrafirma clash, Converge faces Macau

    The stage is set for the return of action as the PBA Commissioner’s Cup officially tips off on Wednesday, March 11, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.


    With teams bringing in reinforcements from overseas and retooled rosters eager to make an early statement, opening day promises a mix of unfamiliar matchups and high-powered performances. Two games will serve as the curtain-raiser for the conference, featuring established PBA teams and a guest squad looking to make an immediate impact.

     

    The opening game will see the Titan Ultra Giant Risers take on the Terrafirma Dyip.

     

    Titan Ultra, which officially took over the former NorthPort franchise last October, hopes to improve on its respectable 4–7 record in its debut conference. The Giant Risers showed flashes of promise during the Philippine Cup but ultimately fell short of a playoff berth, prompting several roster adjustments heading into the Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    One of the most notable changes was the departure of Calvin Abueva, who had emerged as Titan’s top performer during the previous conference. Abueva has since been traded to the Converge FiberXers in exchange for King Caralipio, Mark Omega, and Rey Suerte.

     

    Titan also enters the tournament under the guidance of new head coach Rensy Bajar, who will rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers including Joshua Munzon, Von Pessumal, Cade Flores, CJ Austria, Mark Sangco, and Bryan Sajonia.

     

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    The Giant Risers will also lean on their import Michael Gilmore, whose presence adds a new dimension to the squad as they aim to establish themselves as a competitive force in the conference.

     

    Terrafirma, meanwhile, hopes the Commissioner’s Cup will provide a chance to reset after a challenging run in previous conferences. Known for their hardworking core and willingness to compete against bigger lineups, the Dyip will rely heavily on their import Mubashar Ali, a towering seven-footer expected to anchor both ends of the floor.

     

    The Dyip will also showcase new additions, including top rookie pick Geo Chiu and Ben Adamos, who was acquired from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

     

    The evening’s marquee game will feature the Macau Black Knights going up against the Converge FiberXers.

     

    Macau enters the tournament as one of the foreign guest teams invited to compete in the Commissioner’s Cup. The squad is expected to rely heavily on American reinforcement Tony Mitchell, who brings scoring ability and experience from multiple international leagues.

     

    Originally, the Black Knights planned to alternate Mitchell with 7-foot-6 center Sam Deguara, but the towering big man has since joined a Taiwanese club in the P. LEAGUE+, leaving Mitchell as the team’s primary reinforcement.

     

    Converge, on the other hand, will bank on its energetic core and depth to counter the visiting squad. The FiberXers boast a strong lineup featuring Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Mikey Williams, Abueva, Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston, and Juan Gomez de Liaño.

     

    Anchoring their inside presence is seven-foot import Kylor Kelley, who is expected to form a formidable frontline alongside Arana and Baltazar.

     

    The matchup could turn into a battle of tempo—Macau relying on Mitchell’s versatility and inside scoring, while Converge attempts to push the pace and stretch the defense with its deep and athletic roster.

     

    As the Commissioner’s Cup begins, opening day could offer an early glimpse of which teams are ready to contend in what promises to be a competitive and import-driven conference.

     

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  • Macau Black Knights open PBA campaign without Sam Deguara as giant center heads to Taiwan

    Macau Black Knights open PBA campaign without Sam Deguara as giant center heads to Taiwan

    A towering presence expected to headline the Macau Black Knights’ campaign in the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup will no longer be part of the team’s plans.


    When the Black Knights revealed their roster on their official social media page ahead of the conference, one name stood out for its absence—Sam Deguara, the 7-foot-6 center who had been anticipated to anchor the visiting squad.

     

    The Macau franchise, previously known as the Black Bears, is among the foreign guest teams set to compete in the mid-season tournament. 

     

    But instead of battling inside the paint in the Philippines, Deguara appears to have taken his talents elsewhere.

     

    Reports indicate the towering big man has signed with Yankey Ark in Taiwan’s P. LEAGUE+, with the deal believed to have been finalized as early as the first week of February. 

     

    The move was later confirmed by head coach Garret Kelly in response to a fan inquiry online about the center’s whereabouts.

     

    For teams preparing for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Deguara’s absence means one less towering matchup in the paint.

     

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    Instead, Macau will rely heavily on its other reinforcement, Tony Mitchell, who had originally been expected to share import duties with Deguara. 

     

    The plan was for the two to rotate throughout the tournament—a setup allowed for guest teams since the league began inviting foreign squads.

     

    With Deguara now out of the picture, Mitchell could shoulder the import responsibilities alone unless the Black Knights decide to bring in another reinforcement. So far, the team has not announced whether a replacement is on the way.

     

    Despite shifting teams, Deguara wasted no time making an impact in Taiwan. He debuted for Yankey Ark over the weekend, producing 20 points and 12 rebounds to help secure a victory.

     

    Back in Manila, the focus now shifts to Macau’s opening assignment in the PBA conference. The Black Knights will headline opening day on March 11, facing the Converge FiberXers in the 7:30 p.m. game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    Whether Mitchell alone will be enough to carry the visiting team remains to be seen—but one thing is certain, the Commissioner’s Cup will unfold without one of the tallest players expected to take part. 

     

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