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Tag: PBA Commissioner’s Cup

  • Bol Bol arrives to boost TNT Tropang 5G title hopes  

    Bol Bol arrives to boost TNT Tropang 5G title hopes  

    The spotlight quickly followed Bol Bol upon his arrival in the Philippines, signaling not just the entry of a new import but the arrival of one of the tallest and most fascinating talents to ever suit up in the Philippine Basketball Association.

     

    Fresh from his NBA journey, the 7-foot-3 forward landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where he was greeted by Jojo Lastimosa as he officially began his stint with TNT Tropang Giga.

     

    Bol’s presence immediately adds a new layer of intrigue to the PBA import landscape. Standing at the same listed height as former PBA reinforcement PJ Ramos—who played under Manny Pacquiao during his brief coaching stint with Kia Sorento in 2014—Bol enters the league with far more global recognition and a unique modern skill set for a player his size.

     

    Now 26, Bol arrives carrying experience from multiple NBA stops, beginning with the Denver Nuggets, where his pro career started in 2019 after being selected No. 44 overall by the Miami Heat. He later showcased flashes of his versatility with the Orlando Magic before his most recent stint with the Phoenix Suns.

     

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    While his NBA numbers—6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds across six seasons—may not fully reflect his physical gifts, Bol’s combination of length, mobility, and perimeter skill has long made him one of the league’s most intriguing projects. 

     

    His most productive stretch came during the 2022-23 season, when he averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in expanded minutes, hinting at the impact he can deliver when given a larger role.

     

    Basketball lineage also follows him. Bol is the son of late NBA giant Manute Bol, whose 7-foot-6 frame made him one of the tallest players in league history. Like his father, Bol brings elite rim protection—but unlike him, the younger Bol adds guard-like handles and shooting range developed during his college run with Oregon Ducks men’s basketball.

     

    For TNT, Bol’s arrival is more than just a roster move—it’s a gamble on upside. In a league where dominant imports often dictate championship runs, the Tropang Giga are banking on Bol’s rare blend of size and skill to reshape their campaign and create matchup problems across the conference.

     

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  • Calvin Abueva embraces fresh start With Converge

    Calvin Abueva embraces fresh start With Converge

    For most veterans nearing the twilight of their careers, a trade can feel like disruption. For Calvin Abueva, it feels like destiny.

     

    At 38, the ever-intense forward isn’t treating his transfer to Converge in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup as just another stop. He’s calling it what it truly feels like — a return to where everything began.

     

    The deal that sent him from Titan Ultra to the FiberXers in exchange for Rey Suerte, King Caralipio, and Mark Denver Omega wasn’t simply about roster balance. For Abueva, it was personal. It brought him back to familiar soil, surrounded by fellow Kapampangans, in a place that shaped both his career and character.

     

    “Oo, masaya siyempre,” said Abueva in an interview with SPIN.ph on Tuesday following their tune-up game against Phoenix at the Gatorade Hoops Center. “Sino ba ang hindi magiging masaya. Nandito tayo sa hometown, sa bahay natin. Sobrang saya.”

     

    Home isn’t just geography. It’s people. And no figure looms larger in Abueva’s journey than Converge coach Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.

     

    Long before the PBA spotlight, before the chaos and the comebacks, Pineda had already seen something in the raw, relentless talent from Pampanga. He helped steer Abueva toward San Sebastian, setting in motion a career that would later become one of the most colorful in league history.

     

    Now, years later, they are reunited — not at the beginning, but near the end.

     

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    “Simula nung dumating ako sa larangan ng basketball, siya ‘yung nag-ano sa akin dito. Siya rin ang magiging last option ko pag natapos na career ko,” said Abueva.

     

    “Nung time na nasa Baste kami, siya ang humawak. Now, bago ako mag-retire siya pa rin. And that’s good news for me na siyempre bago ako matapos sa pagbabasketball, siya pa rin ang coach ko.”

     

    It’s rare in professional sports for a player’s journey to circle back to its starting point. Rarer still for that reunion to carry emotional weight.

     

    When asked if this means he intends to retire as a FiberXer, Abueva didn’t hesitate.

     

    “Oo, after nito. Kailangan lang makakuha ng championship,” he said.

     

    There it is — the unfinished business.

     

    Despite being 38, Abueva isn’t arriving as a ceremonial veteran. He’s coming off a strong conference with Titan Ultra, even putting himself in the Best Player of the Conference conversation. The fire hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it feels sharpened by perspective.

     

    But sentiment alone won’t win games. Abueva understands that chemistry takes time, even in a place that feels like home.

     

    “Siyempre sobrang saya sa pagkikita namin ngayon. Magkasama na kami sa team,” said Abueva of his patron Pineda. “Pero more on progress pa. Kailangan pang pursigihin kasi kakaano ko lang sa team. More adjustment pa.”

     

    The message is clear: nostalgia is nice, but championships require grind.

     

    For Converge, Abueva represents experience, edge, and emotional fuel. For Abueva, Converge represents closure — not the quiet kind, but the triumphant one.

     

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  • Converge taps 7-footer Kylor Kelley for upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup 

    Converge taps 7-footer Kylor Kelley for upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup 

    Converge is raising the stakes in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup with the arrival of 7-foot Kylor Kelley, a towering presence ready to make his mark in the league. The Logan, Utah-native brings a wealth of experience, having competed in the NBA G League since 2021 with the South Bay Lakers and brief stints in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.

     

    The 28-year-old center also boasts international experience, with tours in England, Denmark, Canada, and Italy, making him a versatile addition for Converge as they chase their first semifinals appearance in franchise history.

     

    “Kelley is a game-changer for us,” said a source close to the FiberXers. “His size, defense, and international experience make him a perfect fit alongside our mix of veterans and young talents.”

     

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    Converge will pair Kelley with Calvin Abueva and twin towers Justin Arana and Justin Baltazar, creating one of the most formidable frontlines in the Commissioner’s Cup. Young guard Juan Gomez de Liano adds speed and versatility to balance the team’s size.

     

    Kelley isn’t just another import—he’s a defensive specialist who made the 2024 G League All-Defensive Team. Converge is betting that his presence in the paint, rim protection, and rebounding prowess will be the key to unlocking a deep playoff run.

     

    As teams across the league bring in towering reinforcements—Terrafirma’s 7-foot-1 Mubashar Ali, Rain or Shine’s 6-foot-10 Jaylen Johnson, Magnolia’s 6-foot-10 Terrell Brown-Soares—Kelley stands out for his combination of size, experience, and defensive IQ.

     

    With his arrival, Converge signals that the FiberXers are not just participating—they are ready to compete, dominate, and finally break through to the semifinals with Kelley anchoring the middle.

     

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  • Jason Brickman begins PBA chapter after quiet Meralco debut

    Jason Brickman begins PBA chapter after quiet Meralco debut

    Jason Brickman’s long-awaited PBA arrival came without fireworks — just a short stint, a quick lesson, and the start of what Meralco hopes will be a steady evolution.

     

    In an 88-79 loss to Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings to close out the EASL Home and Away Season 3 group stage at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Brickman finally checked into a game wearing a Meralco jersey. The moment arrived at the 6:14 mark of the first quarter. Seven minutes later, it was over.

    No points. One assist. One three-point attempt.

     

    But beyond the stat sheet, the night marked his first real step into the PBA landscape.

     

    The 34-year-old Fil-Am guard, selected seventh overall in the most recent PBA Draft, joined the Bolts less than two weeks ago after wrapping up a championship run in the MPBL with the Abra Solid North Weavers. The quick turnaround left little time for full integration, and it showed.

     

    Meralco quickly found itself trailing by as many as 20 in the second half, limiting opportunities for experimentation. Brickman never returned after his initial first-quarter stint, still learning the timing, spacing, and rhythm of Luigi Trillo’s system.

     

    “I’m enjoying playing for the team so far. We only have a few practices, but it’s good to be on board with the team,” said Brickman.

     

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    For a player long regarded as a traditional floor general — known for his passing vision and composure — the adjustment phase may take time. Chemistry, especially for point guards, cannot be rushed. Every set call, every defensive rotation, every subtle read must become instinctive.

    Trillo acknowledged as much.

     

    “Jason is still new and doesn’t know (sometimes) what he’s doing. He hasn’t had some time with us,” said the Meralco coach.

     

    The candid assessment reflects the reality of Brickman’s situation. After celebrating a maiden MPBL title, he barely paused before signing a one-year deal with the Bolts — shifting leagues, teammates, and systems in the span of weeks.

     

    Yet patience remains the theme inside the Meralco camp.

     

    “He hasn’t had any games (with us). But he’ll get there. Jason Brickman will get there,” Trillo added.

     

    For now, Brickman’s debut will be remembered less for numbers and more for context — a veteran guard stepping into unfamiliar territory, starting from scratch in a league he has long circled but only now entered.

     

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  • Terrafirma taps seven-footer Mubashar Ali to boost Commissioner’s Cup chances

    Terrafirma taps seven-footer Mubashar Ali to boost Commissioner’s Cup chances

    Terrafirma is aiming high—literally.

     

    In a bold move to strengthen their lineup for the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup, the Dyip have signed 7-foot import Mubashar Ali, a Finland-born big man who played his college ball in the United States at Florida Memorial University, an NAIA program.

     

    Ali is no stranger to international basketball. His professional journey has taken him across Europe, suiting up for Turkey’s Ankaragucu Mamak, Finland’s KTP Basket, and Georgia’s Iverioni. In his most recent stint with Iverioni, Ali averaged 14.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks over six games—numbers that hint at his potential impact in the PBA.

     

    Terrafirma, struggling last season with only a single win in the Philippine Cup, is looking at Ali to provide the inside presence and defensive rim protection that has been missing. The Dyip also captured just one win in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup with imports Ryan Richards and Brandon Edwards, highlighting the need for a fresh spark.

     

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    Head coach Ronald Tubid is optimistic about what Ali brings to the table. “He’ll arrive next week,” Tubid confirmed, signaling that Terrafirma’s long-awaited boost in size and scoring punch is imminent.

     

    With Ali anchoring the paint, the Dyip hope to turn the tide, transform their fortunes, and finally climb the standings in a conference that has often exposed their vulnerabilities. Terrafirma’s gamble on a seven-footer could be the difference between another short campaign and a genuine fight for respectability.

     

    Terrafirma is coming off a one win outing in the recently concluded Philippine Cup. 

     

     

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  • Rain or Shine taps globe-trotting Jaylen Johnson as Commissioner’s Cup import

    Rain or Shine taps globe-trotting Jaylen Johnson as Commissioner’s Cup import

    Rain or Shine has made a bold move for the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup, officially signing 6-foot-9 forward Jaylen Johnson as its import. Tasked with taking the Elasto Painters past the semifinals—where Deon Thompson left them last season—Johnson brings a wealth of experience from both domestic and international courts.

     

    At 29, Johnson is no stranger to high-level competition. A Louisville product, he once signed a training deal with the Chicago Bulls before suiting up for the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League.

     

     His professional journey also includes stints with the Iowa Wolves, Motor City Cruise, and Summer League appearances with the Indiana Pacers, reflecting a strong foundation in U.S. basketball circuits. 

     

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    Yet Johnson’s game is truly global. He’s taken his talents to Uruguay with Nacional, Taiwan with Taipei Mars, Israel with Hapoel Hafia, and Turkey with Yalovaspor Basketbol. In between, he also competed in the Big3 3-on-3 league in the United States, showcasing versatility across multiple formats.

     

    Adding to the storyline, Johnson shares a connection with rising local star Kevin Quiambao, his former teammate at the Goyang Sono Skygunners in Korea. Their reunion in Rain or Shine is expected to strengthen team chemistry and provide a spark for the Elasto Painters’ championship ambitions.

     

    With a career that spans continents and competitive platforms, Johnson isn’t just an import—he’s a seasoned professional whose diverse experience could be the key to Rain or Shine’s deeper run in the Commissioner’s Cup. Fans can expect the towering forward to combine size, skill, and global savvy as he aims to guide the Elasto Painters beyond last season’s semifinal finish.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee back with Ginebra for PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup

    Justin Brownlee back with Ginebra for PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup

    Justin Brownlee is returning as an import for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the upcoming PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    According to a report on the PBA website, the 37-year-old veteran will once again suit up for the Gin Kings, one decade since he first joined the storied franchise.  

     

    Brownlee joined Barangay Ginebra to replace the injured Paul Harris during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in July 2016.

     

    Since then, Brownlee has won six PBA championships and three Best Import of the Conference awards, twice in the Commissioner’s Cup.  

     

    PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial earlier said the mid-season conference will have no height limit for imports.  

     

    Brownlee and Ginebra look to improve on their performance from the last Commissioner’s Cup, where they lost to eventual champions, the TNT Tropang 5G in the best-of-seven finals series.

     

    Other PBA teams have also unveiled their reinforcements, mostly new faces.

     

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    According to the PBA website, the NLEX Road Warriors have tapped Cady Lalanne of Haiti while the Phoenix Fuelmasters have signed James Dickey.  

     

    The 6-foot-10 Lalanne was a second round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 NBA Draft, eventually playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League.

     

    Lalanne has played in various countries like Puerto Rico, China, Italy, Turkey, Spain, South Korea, Kuwait and most recently Taiwan with the Kaohsiung Aquas. 

     

    “Cady adds much-needed size in our frontcourt in the upcoming PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup! 💪 Welcome to the PBA and the NLEX family, Cady!,” the Road Warriors wrote on their social media post welcoming Lalanne.

     

    Dickey, who is the first import of Phoenix under new head coach Charles Tiu, went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.

     

    The 6-foot-10 player likewise has overseas experience after competing in Hungary, Germany, Israel, France, Ukraine and Indonesia.  

     

    Dickey last played for the Pelita Jaya Basketball Club in the Indonesian Basketball League, where he was teammates with Brownlee in 2014.  

     

    The PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup is scheduled to tip off on March 11. 

     

     

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  • TNT weighs Bol Bol as possible Commissioner’s Cup import

    TNT weighs Bol Bol as possible Commissioner’s Cup import

    The noise around TNT Tropang 5G possibly parading another NBA name as its next import is growing louder—but inside the camp, the tone remains far more cautious.

     

    Team manager Jojo Lastimosa has moved to temper expectations amid reports linking TNT to 7-foot-3 big man Bol Bol, stressing that while talks have happened, nothing is locked in just yet.

    “Nothing is definite,” Lastimosa said in a Viber message to a source.

     

    That clarification came after speculation that TNT was eyeing Bol as a potential reinforcement for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, especially with reigning Finals MVP Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still recovering from an Achilles injury.

     

     For a franchise fresh off a championship run, the logic behind scanning the market is clear. The Tropang 5G remain in win-now mode, and history suggests they won’t settle for a low-impact import.

     

    Still, league whispers suggest the situation could move quickly.

     

    Sources told that TNT management and Bol’s camp are already deep into negotiations,with optimism that a deal could be finalized within days—potentially clearing the way for the son of the late Manute Bol to finally see action in the PBA, a league that now has no height restrictions for imports.

     

    “Let’s just say na in the next two days, okay na ’yan. Magpipirmahan na ’yan,” said the source. 

     

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    If completed, the signing would be both intriguing and risky.

     

    Bol’s pedigree is undeniable. A former McDonald’s All-American and NBA lottery talent, he’s spent time with several NBA teams, most recently the Phoenix Suns. But his recent résumé raises fair questions. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in limited minutes across 36 games—respectable numbers, yet hardly dominant.

     

    More concerning is the lack of recent high-level competition. Since that stint, Bol has largely been off the radar. He was even slated to suit up for Sudan in the 2024 Paris Olympics, only to withdraw at the last minute due to undisclosed personal reasons.

     

    That uncertainty is exactly why TNT remains guarded.

     

    “You can never be sure until he arrives,” Lastimosa said in a statement posted on the team’s social media pages.

     

    For now, that sums up the situation perfectly. On paper, Bol’s length, mobility, and perimeter touch could give TNT a new dimension—especially after coming off a tough six-game Finals loss to San Miguel in the Philippine Cup. In reality, however, the Tropang 5G know better than to count wins before their import even steps off the plane.

     

    Until Bol Bol is actually in Manila, the buzz remains just that—buzz.

     

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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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