Familiar faces and fresh talents headline the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup, set to tip off on November 27. With no height restrictions for imports, this mid-season conference promises exciting matchups and high-level basketball.
Leading the list of returning imports are Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of TNT and Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra, both fresh off their intense duel in the Governors’ Cup Finals, where TNT emerged victorious in six games.
Joining them are George King for Blackwater, Ricardo Ratliffe for Magnolia, and possibly Quincy Miller, who may suit up for San Miguel while also competing in the ongoing East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 2.
A wave of new faces is set to make their mark in the Commissioner’s Cup. Akil Mitchell of Meralco delivered a preview of his capabilities during the team’s EASL win over Busan KCC Egis, tallying 33 points and 22 rebounds in a thrilling 81-80 comeback.
Kavell Bigby-Williams, a 6’11” former member of the Great Britain men’s national team and cousin of boxing legend Lennox Lewis, will suit up for NorthPort.
Donovan Smith joins Phoenix as their 6’9” reinforcement, while Cheick Diallo, a 2016 NBA Draft second-round pick and former teammate of Matthew Wright in Japan’s B. League, will reinforce Converge.
Ryan Richards, another former member of the Great Britain national team, will play for Terrafirma, while Kenneth Kadji, a former Cameroonian national team player, joins Rain or Shine.
NLEX initially announced NBA veteran Ed Davis as its import, but a last-minute family emergency forced the 35-year-old to withdraw.
As the Commissioner’s Cup kicks off, fans can look forward to thrilling performances from seasoned veterans and fiery newcomers eager to prove themselves on the PBA stage.
