THE PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup unfurls on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. For opening day, fans are going to see players in new places, a guest team, and a coach set to make his league debut.
Here is a preview of the Comm’s Cup opening day.
TITAN ULTRA VS. TERRAFIRMA
When: Wednesday, March 11. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Cellar-dwellers out to start strong
Titan Ultra and Terrafirma go up against each other in a bid to start the new conference on a high note. Both teams missed the playoffs during the Philippine Cup, with the Giant Risers finishing ninth with a 4-7 win-loss record, and the Dyip at the bottom with a 1-10 record.
Life without 'Beast'
Titan Ultra comes into the new conference with a new look after trading away top star Calvin Abueva to Converge after the Philippine Cup where he was a contender for the Best Player of the Conference.
It is now going to be Joshua Munzon’s team, as he is expected to have a much-bigger role with the Giant Risers. Titan Ultra is also parading three rookies in Bryan Sajonia, Mark Sangco, and Mark Omega.
Rensy Bajar’s PBA coaching debut
Titan Ultra has new coaching personnel, as well with Rensy Bajar elevated from assistant coach to head coach, replacing Johnedel Cardel. Jerson Cabiltes and Mike Fermin were then added to the coaching staff in hopes of a better performance in the Comm’s Cup.
Chiu’s PBA debut sans Sangalang, Nonoy
Geo Chiu, the No. 1 draft pick in Season 50, is scheduled to make his league debut. Chiu finally gets to play for the Dyip after finishing his commitments with Abra in the MPBL.
Chiu, however, won’t be playing with two of Terrafirma’s core players in Mark Nonoy and Louie Sangalang. Nonoy has reportedly gone AWOL, while Sangalang is not with the team for undisclosed reasons.
Import match-up
Terrafirma is parading 7-foot Finland-born import Mubashar Ali for the Comm’s Cup. The 28-year-old Ali played for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) side Florida Memorial University, then in Turkey, Finland, and Georgia where he is expected to patrol the paint for the Dyip.
Titan Ultra is set to unlock 6-foot-10 import Michael Gilmore, a product of Virginia Commonwealth University who had stints in the GLeague, Greece, Sweden, Italy, China, and Turkey.
MACAU VS. CONVERGE
When: Wednesday, March 11. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Abueva, Mikey debut for Converge
Converge is set to showcase its brand new lineup that has been boosted by the entry of Abueva and Mikey Williams.
Abueva, acquired in a trade with Titan Ultra, is expected to bring his usual energy to the FiberXers even at 38, while Williams returns to the league after a three-year hiatus, looking to provide added offense.
Don’t be surprised, though, if the two players won’t be as effective as they were. Abueva has been bothered by injuries that kept him out in some of their tuneup games, while Williams is only in his first full week with Converge entering opening day.
Kylor Kelley out for a big debut
Converge got a major boost down low when it acquired 7-foot Kylor Kelley as its import. Kelley, who recently played for the South Bay Lakers in the GLeague, is a known rim protector, giving the FiberXers more defensive fortitude. He will be teaming up with an already solid frontline of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.
Macau Black Knights begin campaign as guest team
The newest guest team in the league is set to debut in the Macau Black Knights. The squad has the core of the Black Bears that previously saw action in the EASL, and brought in former PBA import Tony Mitchell to beef up the squad. One of the locals to watch out for is Damian Chongqui, who led Macau in points and assists during their EASL stint this season.
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