2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup

[harizen]

ls Bay Area Dragons eligible on joining the playoffs in the PBA? Is there any information about this?

I think they will. I mean what will be their reason of playing in the PBA if they will not join the playoffs.
PBA added them to increase the competition around the league. I think they are eligible because it will be useless for the Dragons if they will play in the PBA and will not be eligible in entering to the playoffs for whatever reason it is.

The question is valid though because as Marcial said before, it's Governors Cup where Bay Area Dragons are eligible to win the championship. I don't know if the same eligibility will be given to that team this upcoming Commissioners Cup. If eligible, there will be an obvious change to the rules of eliminations or simply they will just add one team to those who can't make it to the playoffs.

If let's say Bay Area Dragons won the championship, the first time that a champion in our top local basketball league is a foreign team lol.

Anyways, as for the list of imports for the next conference, there's no official list yet but only rumors e.g SMB considering Thomas Robinson, former Los Angeles Lakers as their import next conference, Justin Brownlee of Ginebra, etc.

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[LogitechMouse]

Anyways, as for the list of imports for the next conference, there's no official list yet but only rumors e.g SMB considering Thomas Robinson, former Los Angeles Lakers as their import next conference, Justin Brownlee of Ginebra, etc.

I did a quick google search and I saw a Youtube Video sharing the complete list of PBA Imports this 2022 Commissioners' Cup. Here is the link of the video if you want to watch: LINK
Anyway, here is the complete list of the imports of each team.

TNT Tropang Giga - Cameron Oliver
NLEX Road Warriors - Earl Clark (NBA)
San Miguel Beermen - Thomas Robinson (NBA)
Magnolia Hotshots - Nick Rakocevic
Brgy. Ginebra - Justin Brownlee
Blackwater Bossing - Cameron Krutwig
Meralco Bolts - Johnny O'Bryant (NBA)
Converge FiberX - Quincy Miller (NBA)
NorthPort Batang Pier - Prince Ibeh
TerraFirma Dyip - Lester Prosper
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Daniel Ochefu
Phoenex Super LPG Masters - Kaleb Wesson

The video was posted last week of August 2022 and there might be a chance that this complete list will change. TNT and Ginebra imports are the ones that I think is confirmed as both of them were saw in a PBA Finals game. We've also seen Ibeh and Prosper played in the same team years ago. Most of them are first timers in the PBA and some are former NBA players but like I said, there might be a chance that the list will have some changes. Let's wait for the official article maybe from spin.ph since I'm pretty sure that they will share it.

[Fredomago]

Together with Perez, Tau, Manuel and the goat of PBA Fajardo, they reclaim the throne and win the title.

I'm happy for Perez and Tau and for the other members of SMB who has won their first ever title.

Perez is just like Romeo winning his first title with SMB, I'm in the impression that he might have the same fate in winning the finals MVP but it's Fajardo who really make the big difference between these two rivals, unlike with Romeo before the numbers stated that he really have enough numbers to win the finals MVP.

ls Bay Area Dragons eligible on joining the playoffs in the PBA? Is there any information about this?

I think they will. I mean what will be their reason of playing in the PBA if they will not join the playoffs.
PBA added them to increase the competition around the league. I think they are eligible because it will be useless for the Dragons if they will play in the PBA and will not be eligible in entering to the playoffs for whatever reason it is.

The question is valid though because as Marcial said before, it's Governors Cup where Bay Area Dragons are eligible to win the championship. I don't know if the same eligibility will be given to that team this upcoming Commissioners Cup. If eligible, there will be an obvious change to the rules of eliminations or simply they will just add one team to those who can't make it to the playoffs.

If let's say Bay Area Dragons won the championship, the first time that a champion in our top local basketball league is a foreign team lol.

Anyways, as for the list of imports for the next conference, there's no official list yet but only rumors e.g SMB considering Thomas Robinson, former Los Angeles Lakers as their import next conference, Justin Brownlee of Ginebra, etc.

This will be a big challenge for local teams, foreign to take out the trophy from our country would be a kind of disrespect, maybe I'm too emotional but it's our pride that in stake right now, I like the idea of bringing foreign team for us to see how PBA players/teams will defend our land.

No final list yet. As far as I know regarding to that complete list to whoever imports that they will be hired by PBA teams, not sure though and if there's already a final one, please share the info here.

[Hypnosis00]

@LogitechMouse, Brownlee is back again as an import of Ginebra, I think this is the time that Ginebra will win a championship. SMB I think is still the favorite team to win since JMF is back, so SMB having an import is like having 2 imports due to JMF's talent.

Can't wait for the next conference, which will come first? the EASL or the next conference?

[bisdak40]

@LogitechMouse, Brownlee is back again as an import of Ginebra, I think this is the time that Ginebra will win a championship. SMB I think is still the favorite team to win since JMF is back, so SMB having an import is like having 2 imports due to JMF's talent.

Can't wait for the next conference, which will come first? the EASL or the next conference?

You are right there mate, SMB Beermen is like having two imports with a healthy Fajardo on board but this is not a guarantee of a championship since Junemar can be guarded well by an import, we have seen that one where he was limited by Brownlee many times when their teams meet.

Being a fan of SMB, I just hope that they could get their grand slam trophy before Fajardo retires and I think this year and the next two is a bright year for them since they have new faces that could help Fajardo in their quest for the grand slam.

[Kelvinid]

@LogitechMouse, Brownlee is back again as an import of Ginebra, I think this is the time that Ginebra will win a championship. SMB I think is still the favorite team to win since JMF is back, so SMB having an import is like having 2 imports due to JMF's talent.

Can't wait for the next conference, which will come first? the EASL or the next conference?

You are right there mate, SMB Beermen is like having two imports with a healthy Fajardo on board but this is not a guarantee of a championship since Junemar can be guarded well by an import, we have seen that one where he was limited by Brownlee many times when their teams meet.

Being a fan of SMB, I just hope that they could get their grand slam trophy before Fajardo retires and I think this year and the next two is a bright year for them since they have new faces that could help Fajardo in their quest for the grand slam.

Also, Perez looks like an import, hehe. The roster of SMB is scary, they only struggled last season because of an unhealthy Fajardo, but now he is back and the team has a healthy roster as well, so they should be a team to beat here even if the Ginebra San Miguel has Justin Brownlee again.

[goaldigger]

Also, Perez looks like an import, hehe. The roster of SMB is scary, they only struggled last season because of an unhealthy Fajardo, but now he is back and the team has a healthy roster as well, so they should be a team to beat here even if the Ginebra San Miguel has Justin Brownlee again.

JMF is a real big threat to other teams and with a help of Perez, I'm sure SMB will still be a contender.
The upcoming season is very exciting, we can see a guest team which we are also familiar with their plays but still a good challenge to our local teams. We also know how Brownlee dominated on his last season, we might still see him on his usual strength, SMB and Ginebra are doing their best to get their good imports back, this is a good showdown and I hope other teams can catch up as well.

[Questat]

On the other hand, I saw some rumors again that MVP team coaches will be shuffled. I don't know how and why but looking on how Coach Luigi Trillio coached the Bolts when Coach Norman Black is still out, I'm guessing that he might be the new coach of NLEX but we don't know since there are no news coming out yet on who will be the next coach of the Road Warriors. Any insights?

Most probably, NLEX does need an experienced coach because they always fall short of their target to be a championship team. However, Luigi Trillo vs Coach Yeng, I think Coach Yeng is the better coach but I don't want to judge because I believe that we should give a new coach a chance to prove himself for at least one season.

[harizen]

The video was posted last week of August 2022 and there might be a chance that this complete list will change. TNT and Ginebra imports are the ones that I think is confirmed as both of them were saw in a PBA Finals game. We've also seen Ibeh and Prosper played in the same team years ago. Most of them are first timers in the PBA and some are former NBA players but like I said, there might be a chance that the list will have some changes. Let's wait for the official article maybe from spin.ph since I'm pretty sure that they will share it.

Thanks for the link and looks like it's almost a final list.

I take a look at some of those imports and as per their bio, they are already part of their respective teams. I have also noticed that unlike before that usually most imports are already NBA veterans or at their post-prime, some of the listed imports today are young and can consider in their respective prime. It's just that they were unable to be drafted into the NBA.

That means CONGRATULATIONS also to our fellow PBA enthusiast here in the thread:

jakelyson (Php 1,000)
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Sanitough (Php 2,000)

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[Fredomago]

@LogitechMouse, Brownlee is back again as an import of Ginebra, I think this is the time that Ginebra will win a championship. SMB I think is still the favorite team to win since JMF is back, so SMB having an import is like having 2 imports due to JMF's talent.

Can't wait for the next conference, which will come first? the EASL or the next conference?

You are right there mate, SMB Beermen is like having two imports with a healthy Fajardo on board but this is not a guarantee of a championship since Junemar can be guarded well by an import, we have seen that one where he was limited by Brownlee many times when their teams meet.

Being a fan of SMB, I just hope that they could get their grand slam trophy before Fajardo retires and I think this year and the next two is a bright year for them since they have new faces that could help Fajardo in their quest for the grand slam.

That is something that will add to his GOAT career, having a grand slam is something that most team really dream to achieved, I was in my High school days when alaska did this with Tim Cone as their mentors and the big three of Hawkins, Lastimosa and Flying A was towering the team, with Chambers as their long-term imports they managed to win one, another one is when Purefoods/Magnolia also with same coach Tim, with Simon, Pingris and Yap it was the last grand slam that happen, TNT and SMB did attempt to win it but still after Magnolia there's no team to win another grand slam.

It would be a nice retirement if ever Fajardo decides to quit, bringing a grandslam is not by far, with young Perez and Romeo they can
push this and set it as a goal.

On the other hand, I saw some rumors again that MVP team coaches will be shuffled. I don't know how and why but looking on how Coach Luigi Trillio coached the Bolts when Coach Norman Black is still out, I'm guessing that he might be the new coach of NLEX but we don't know since there are no news coming out yet on who will be the next coach of the Road Warriors. Any insights?

Most probably, NLEX does need an experienced coach because they always fall short of their target to be a championship team. However, Luigi Trillo vs Coach Yeng, I think Coach Yeng is the better coach but I don't want to judge because I believe that we should give a new coach a chance to prove himself for at least one season.

We don't know now if what will NLEX bring on this upcoming new season parting ways from their coach is something that's needed to
solve inside the team, though players should always be ready, but the attachments with the former coach are different from the new one,
Let's give coach Trillo a chance to guide this franchise. Maybe the import will bring good impacts to the team.

[harizen]

Most probably, NLEX does need an experienced coach because they always fall short of their target to be a championship team. However, Luigi Trillo vs Coach Yeng, I think Coach Yeng is the better coach but I don't want to judge because I believe that we should give a new coach a chance to prove himself for at least one season.

Even Phil Jackson or Steve Kerr will coach the NLEX Road Warriors, nothing will changed to this team with that current roster. They are a farm team to considered and MVP's top teams are TNT Katropa and Meralco Bolts. Not even a chance for these Great Coaches to coached a farm team haha. They will surely be assigned to only top teams.

Kidding aside.....

Coach Yeng already pointed out that mid to lower tier teams, farm teams or those independent teams, will always struggle to keep good players on their respective team as these players will always likely be targeted by either SMC or MVP teams or for farm teams, players will be transferred instead to their top teams within the franchise. Since these players will be offered a much good contract by these giant companies, they will choose to be transfer instead as being loyal doesn't make sense in the PBA if you are outside SMC or MVP teams.

Coach Yeng just stating facts about what currently happening in the league for several years:
"The playing field is no longer even. Not just that, it's not any more transparent what happens in the league. Horse trading is usually done now with those promising players. Only those big are getting stronger"

[blockman]

Together with Perez, Tau, Manuel and the goat of PBA Fajardo, they reclaim the throne and win the title.

I'm happy for Perez and Tau and for the other members of SMB who has won their first ever title.

Perez is just like Romeo winning his first title with SMB, I'm in the impression that he might have the same fate in winning the finals MVP but it's Fajardo who really make the big difference between these two rivals, unlike with Romeo before the numbers stated that he really have enough numbers to win the finals MVP.

Speaking of Romeo, where he is right now? Still, injured? And is there news that he's going back for the next conference? I haven't seen some news about him lately.
The last one that I heard was when he got an offer to play for B League but he refused it and chose to stay with his team as he said, he's got indebted to the management.

[Baofeng]

Together with Perez, Tau, Manuel and the goat of PBA Fajardo, they reclaim the throne and win the title.

I'm happy for Perez and Tau and for the other members of SMB who has won their first ever title.

Perez is just like Romeo winning his first title with SMB, I'm in the impression that he might have the same fate in winning the finals MVP but it's Fajardo who really make the big difference between these two rivals, unlike with Romeo before the numbers stated that he really have enough numbers to win the finals MVP.

Speaking of Romeo, where he is right now? Still, injured? And is there news that he's going back for the next conference? I haven't seen some news about him lately.
The last one that I heard was when he got an offer to play for B League but he refused it and chose to stay with his team as he said, he's got indebted to the management.

Yes, he is still injured and recovering, it was not just a simple back spasm, but a slip disc. So he needed to take sometime out, and rehab that back so there is no timeline for his return because it is a serious injury that needed to be taken care of. And so we are still going to miss him, he said that he still nursing that injury and only 40-50%. So he need to sit it out before he can practice with SMB again.

[arwin100]

Most probably, NLEX does need an experienced coach because they always fall short of their target to be a championship team. However, Luigi Trillo vs Coach Yeng, I think Coach Yeng is the better coach but I don't want to judge because I believe that we should give a new coach a chance to prove himself for at least one season.

Coach Yeng already pointed out that mid to lower tier teams, farm teams or those independent teams, will always struggle to keep good players on their respective team as these players will always likely be targeted by either SMC or MVP teams or for farm teams, players will be transferred instead to their top teams within the franchise. Since these players will be offered a much good contract by these giant companies, they will choose to be transfer instead as being loyal doesn't make sense in the PBA if you are outside SMC or MVP teams.

Coach Yeng just stating facts about what currently happening in the league for several years:
"The playing field is no longer even. Not just that, it's not any more transparent what happens in the league. Horse trading is usually done now with those promising players. Only those big are getting stronger"

If they continue to do what coach yeng stated on currently happening on PBA for sure those independent team will go away. Alaska already leave the league because for sure they think that its not really good for their organization to continue their campaign in PBA since its been dominated by 2 big companies. Maybe if the commissioner is really serious to make this league fair they should have transparent salary cap so that there's no under the table deal between stars and it will be fair to everyone to have chance to be a contender team.

[goinmerry]

If they continue to do what coach yeng stated on currently happening on PBA for sure those independent team will go away. Alaska already leave the league because for sure they think that its not really good for their organization to continue their campaign in PBA since its been dominated by 2 big companies. Maybe if the commissioner is really serious to make this league fair they should have transparent salary cap so that there's no under the table deal between stars and it will be fair to everyone to have chance to be a contender team.

I don't know how can it be fair since we can't blame San Miguel Corp. and MVP group of companies if they can afford to offer a decent contract to those best-performing players. If they limit the salary cap, these best players might end up considering playing overseas instead of playing in locals.

For me, if the trade is between the best players of each team, PBA should weigh if it's fair or not. What I mean is, be balanced. For example, SMB wants Robert Bolick in exchange for their several bench players, that's not fair trade. Although we can't hide the fact that SMC is influential that's why even the trade is not fair, they will call it fair from both parties.

[Shamm]

Together with Perez, Tau, Manuel and the goat of PBA Fajardo, they reclaim the throne and win the title.

I'm happy for Perez and Tau and for the other members of SMB who has won their first ever title.

Perez is just like Romeo winning his first title with SMB, I'm in the impression that he might have the same fate in winning the finals MVP but it's Fajardo who really make the big difference between these two rivals, unlike with Romeo before the numbers stated that he really have enough numbers to win the finals MVP.

Speaking of Romeo, where he is right now? Still, injured? And is there news that he's going back for the next conference? I haven't seen some news about him lately.
The last one that I heard was when he got an offer to play for B League but he refused it and chose to stay with his team as he said, he's got indebted to the management.

Maybe Romeo still injured right now, I did not saw him playing for smb team in finals I don't think so if he can play next season for the SMB team. And also if he is fully recovered for his injury then for sure he has a chance to play and have a good time again in PBA, as we all know that Romeo has a potential because he is one of the best dribbler and ball handler and a good shooter us well. Hoping so that in the next series we can see Romeo playing in the hard court.

[LogitechMouse]

On the other hand, I saw some rumors again that MVP team coaches will be shuffled. I don't know how and why but looking on how Coach Luigi Trillio coached the Bolts when Coach Norman Black is still out, I'm guessing that he might be the new coach of NLEX but we don't know since there are no news coming out yet on who will be the next coach of the Road Warriors. Any insights?

Most probably, NLEX does need an experienced coach because they always fall short of their target to be a championship team. However, Luigi Trillo vs Coach Yeng, I think Coach Yeng is the better coach but I don't want to judge because I believe that we should give a new coach a chance to prove himself for at least one season.

I agree but NLEX will still not be a championship team even though they have an experienced coach because their roster isn't enough for the team to be a championship caliber team.

I mean right now, if you want to win a title, you must have a star-studded team like SMB or even TNT who is loaded with players who are very good in our current league. Coach Yeng is more experienced than Coach Trillio but if MVP want Coach Trillio to have more experience in coaching then being with the NLEX is his best option. He coached the Bolts really well, so he deserves that spot but let's wait who will be the next coach of NLEX.

If they continue to do what coach yeng stated on currently happening on PBA for sure those independent team will go away. Alaska already leave the league because for sure they think that its not really good for their organization to continue their campaign in PBA since its been dominated by 2 big companies. Maybe if the commissioner is really serious to make this league fair they should have transparent salary cap so that there's no under the table deal between stars and it will be fair to everyone to have chance to be a contender team.

It will continue and we don't know when it will end. Maybe if we will have a new commissioner or if the salaries will be transparent like you said.

Speaking of transparency, this has been said to the PBA many times already that the salaries of each player must be transparent like in the NBA but they aren't doing anything and I think they will do nothing about it which is kind of sad TBH as a fan because Coach Yeng is right that the league is being dominated by SMC and MVP and those independent teams are being called as "milking teams" where these 2 companies will make an unequal trade to them just to be stronger.

[jakelyson]

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For me, if the trade is between the best players of each team, PBA should weigh if it's fair or not. What I mean is, be balanced. For example, SMB wants Robert Bolick in exchange for their several bench players, that's not fair trade. Although we can't hide the fact that SMC is influential that's why even the trade is not fair, they will call it fair from both parties.

That is the best they can do, do not allow big team to farm smaller teams. They cannot limit the salary but at least they can assure that all trades will be of fair value. This will allow independent teams to build stronger teams that will be able to compete with big teams. That will also make PBA a more competitive organization. It is better to watch teams competing in equal footing rather than watch one or two teams dominate the whole association.

[Fredomago]

Together with Perez, Tau, Manuel and the goat of PBA Fajardo, they reclaim the throne and win the title.

I'm happy for Perez and Tau and for the other members of SMB who has won their first ever title.

Perez is just like Romeo winning his first title with SMB, I'm in the impression that he might have the same fate in winning the finals MVP but it's Fajardo who really make the big difference between these two rivals, unlike with Romeo before the numbers stated that he really have enough numbers to win the finals MVP.

Speaking of Romeo, where he is right now? Still, injured? And is there news that he's going back for the next conference? I haven't seen some news about him lately.
The last one that I heard was when he got an offer to play for B League but he refused it and chose to stay with his team as he said, he's got indebted to the management.

No update with his comeback, but he's on the bench during the finals. Though he's not in uniform but he fully supports the team and gives them some boost while cheering at the sideline. Base from the last repost, he is still in pain and he's trying to condition his body and with the therapies that he is undergoing right now, maybe we can expect him back after this new season (hopefully)

If they continue to do what coach yeng stated on currently happening on PBA for sure those independent team will go away. Alaska already leave the league because for sure they think that its not really good for their organization to continue their campaign in PBA since its been dominated by 2 big companies. Maybe if the commissioner is really serious to make this league fair they should have transparent salary cap so that there's no under the table deal between stars and it will be fair to everyone to have chance to be a contender team.

I don't know how can it be fair since we can't blame San Miguel Corp. and MVP group of companies if they can afford to offer a decent contract to those best-performing players. If they limit the salary cap, these best players might end up considering playing overseas instead of playing in locals.

For me, if the trade is between the best players of each team, PBA should weigh if it's fair or not. What I mean is, be balanced. For example, SMB wants Robert Bolick in exchange for their several bench players, that's not fair trade. Although we can't hide the fact that SMC is influential that's why even the trade is not fair, they will call it fair from both parties.

Something that the commissioners and the board can avoid if they are really doing their job, but the influence of this two giant companies continue to put things on their control, I believe that there's nothing that we fan can do from this kind of manipulations, the very reason why fans are no longer that much interested with PBA, unlike before where each team have good numbers of real fans even the ROS before which had been tag as the bad boys of this league they've got real fans who loves them and cheer for them.

[Sanitough]

No update with his comeback, but he's on the bench during the finals. Though he's not in uniform but he fully supports the team and gives them some boost while cheering at the sideline. Base from the last repost, he is still in pain and he's trying to condition his body and with the therapies that he is undergoing right now, maybe we can expect him back after this new season (hopefully)

I think Romeo is already healthy, we might see him in the next conference, and just imagine, SMB won the championship even without him, just think how good the SMB having a healthy Romeo. Also, if he is still not ready, there's no pressure on him as the current roster can still manage to win.