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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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