As the resumption of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup looms, two struggling teams are looking to turn their fortunes around, while another one is aiming to sustain its own with new reinforcements.
The Gin Kings, despite their firepower, are surprisingly near the bottom with their 1-3 card partly because of their ineffective import. Charles Garcia was hardly a factor for Ginebra in the four games that he played, forcing management, with encouragement from the fans, to bring in a trusted and popular name. Resident import Justin Brownlee, who has led the Gin Kings to two titles and is still fresh from his championship run with Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League, is back in tow to try to resurrect his beloved squad.
For the Elite, who have yet to win a game (0-6), they are bringing in resident import in Henry Walker, who will finish the tournament for Blackwater and also serve as the Elite’s import next conference, just like Brownlee for Ginebra.
Winners of three in a row, the Hotshots were forced to find a replacement for the solid Vernon Macklin as he opted to play in China with a guaranteed contract.
In his place, the Hotshots are hoping to have the same success with the incoming Curtis Kelly, a former NBA hopeful in 2011.
