2026 PBA Governor's Cup

[Sanitough]

Fresh news, PBA and EASL are reportedly headed for a break-up.

THE mutally beneficial partnership between the PBA and the EASL (East Asia Super League) appears to be heading to a breakup.

The two leagues have been partners for nearly eight years now, with the PBA providing a team to EASL's tournaments. But the PBA's participation appears uncertain this year.

If this pushes through then we will probably no longer see PBA teams playing in this tournament, and PBA teams can focus more on international competitions where their best players are also likely to represent the country. I think it's fine if they leave EASL anyway, PBA teams haven't really been that competitive in this tournament.

I don't remember that PBA teams did well in the EASL tournament, they are just there to represent but almost at the bottom of the standing after the tournament so i think this would not affect the PBA if they break apart.

That's the point, there is no reason for participating if they are just going to tank. They cannot make Filipinos proud that way, so they might as well leave that and focus more on improving the PBA.

I think thats where the attention is needed more right now, especially since fewer people seem interested in watching the games anymore.

Meanwhile, good news for Gilas as Kai Sotto attended Gilas practice yesterday as per coach Tim Cone so most likely he will be playing this coming FIBA window against Jordan and Iran. This could definitely a morale booster the Gilas players and the chance of Gilas winning against these teams are now higher.

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/kai-sotto-returns-to-play-for-gilas-in-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers-a2244-20260817

So he will only be playing on these games?
https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/17/fiba-game-changer-kai-sotto-set-to-make-gilas-return-says-tim-cone-2250

Kai Sotto will make his return to the national team as it takes on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30, Gilas head coach Tim Cone told ABS-CBN News on Monday evening.

[Maslate]

So he will only be playing on these games?
https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/17/fiba-game-changer-kai-sotto-set-to-make-gilas-return-says-tim-cone-2250

Kai Sotto will make his return to the national team as it takes on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30, Gilas head coach Tim Cone told ABS-CBN News on Monday evening.

For now, those are the only games he is confirmed to be playing, but hopefully that will continue because Gilas still has many games outside the Philippines where they may need to compete without Kai, and that would be a tough job.

Having a big man has always been one of the problems for Gilas. Our naturalized player now is not really a big man, so we need a local player who can fill that role, and for me Kai is the best option. He has the height and strength that the others dont have. Even one of the best players in the PBA, JMF, has struggled a lot in international competition.

The good thing is Kai was still named in the 30-man Gilas pool for the Asian Games, so hopefully he will still play after that 2 games at home.

[LogitechMouse]

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For now, those are the only games he is confirmed to be playing, but hopefully that will continue because Gilas still has many games outside the Philippines where they may need to compete without Kai, and that would be a tough job.

Having a big man has always been one of the problems for Gilas. Our naturalized player now is not really a big man, so we need a local player who can fill that role, and for me Kai is the best option. He has the height and strength that the others dont have. Even one of the best players in the PBA, JMF, has struggled a lot in international competition.

The good thing is Kai was still named in the 30-man Gilas pool for the Asian Games, so hopefully he will still play after that 2 games at home.

Correct me, but I don't think that Sotto will be playing in Gilas uniform just to play on the first 2 games. I mean you already joined, so might as well play for the whole 4th window as well. Imagine what will be the whole team will feel if he will not play at all games especially now that every game is a must win for our team.

We are currently 2-4 on the standings, 2nd to the last that's why having Sotto boosts the morale of the whole team. Let's not forget that our Gilas Pilipinas team went 5-1 when Sotto played, and in those 5 wins, 2 of them are against the Tall Blacks where we won against the for the first time, and against Latvia as well. He's a double-double machine, and his mere presence on the court really intimidates their opponents to drive on the paint. I don't see anything wrong with this one, but I just hope that with Sotto playing, other players must step up as well and shot their best self during the 4th window. If possible, they should replicate how they played against Latvia, Georgia and even the Tall Blacks a few years ago.

We are all happy to see him back, but right now, let's wait for the final 12 of the team then we could make a better prediction if they can win against the likes of Jordan, Iran, and even the Kiwis.

[bisdak40]

So he will only be playing on these games?
https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/17/fiba-game-changer-kai-sotto-set-to-make-gilas-return-says-tim-cone-2250

Kai Sotto will make his return to the national team as it takes on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30, Gilas head coach Tim Cone told ABS-CBN News on Monday evening.

For now i think he will be playing only on these two game this August and there is a possibility that he won't suit up in the Asian Games because per report that Gilas will be forming two teams, the other one will represent in the Asian Games though no confirmation of this report yet but i think there is some truth to it as it is very hard to defend the gold medal this year with the absence of the players from Japan and Korea.

I'm just curious on why Rhenz Abando was not invited to play for Gilas, is there is something going on with him with coach Tim Cone? Abando's experience in the international play could surely help Gilas.

[Sanitough]

So he will only be playing on these games?
https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/17/fiba-game-changer-kai-sotto-set-to-make-gilas-return-says-tim-cone-2250

Kai Sotto will make his return to the national team as it takes on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30, Gilas head coach Tim Cone told ABS-CBN News on Monday evening.

For now i think he will be playing only on these two game this August and there is a possibility that he won't suit up in the Asian Games because per report that Gilas will be forming two teams, the other one will represent in the Asian Games though no confirmation of this report yet but i think there is some truth to it as it is very hard to defend the gold medal this year with the absence of the players from Japan and Korea.

This explains it. So it looks like they will prioritize the Asian Games, especially since they may have Kai there and probably Brownlee too. In that case, these games at home are actually more interesting for me than the other games, because with that lineup we can see that Gilas has a decent chance of winning.

I'm just curious on why Rhenz Abando was not invited to play for Gilas, is there is something going on with him with coach Tim Cone? Abando's experience in the international play could surely help Gilas.

I think the main reason here is that he keeps a team that is familiar with each other already. Abando is good, but no chemistry with his teammates, that could be a huge problem.

[Russlenat]

I think the main reason here is that he keeps a team that is familiar with each other already. Abando is good, but no chemistry with his teammates, that could be a huge problem.

But Abando can really contribute to the team. If they give him a chance, I think he would be more than willing to represent the country.

When he is on the court, people get excited because we have a high flyer who is always ready to attack the rim. That's something we don't see much in the int competitions, where our team often rely a lot on outside shooting. With Abando, the offense can become less predictable because he can bring that athleticism and energy going inside.

[LogitechMouse]

I think the main reason here is that he keeps a team that is familiar with each other already. Abando is good, but no chemistry with his teammates, that could be a huge problem.

But Abando can really contribute to the team. If they give him a chance, I think he would be more than willing to represent the country.

When he is on the court, people get excited because we have a high flyer who is always ready to attack the rim. That's something we don't see much in the int competitions, where our team often rely a lot on outside shooting. With Abando, the offense can become less predictable because he can bring that athleticism and energy going inside.

Aside from the familiarity with the system of Coach Tim Cone, there's also one reason as to why I believe he isn't being given a chance.
He's too skinny and too small.

Yes, he's a high-flyer no doubt about that, and he contributed in his stint in the World Cup as well. The problem with him is that, he's 6'2", but his not a reliable guard because he lacks handles to be a PG, but also lacks shooting to be a SG. At the same time, his frame is too small to be a Small Forward as well. Imagine him being a SF, but he defends something like a 6'8" from the opposing team. I have nothing against him, but I think that's the reason why CTC isn't getting him. Of course, I might be wrong, and there might be some reasons as well that we don't know such as maybe CTC doesn't want him at all or vice-versa.

Overall, I would like to see him play as well, but I'm pretty sure it will not be on the 4th window. I hope sometime in the future, he'll be given an opportunity again because he really loves to play on our National team. I'm also thinking that if he will be chosen, is he really a better option when it comes to guards compared to the likes of Juan GDL or Scottie or even Dwight Ramos.

[Botnake]

Aside from the familiarity with the system of Coach Tim Cone, there's also one reason as to why I believe he isn't being given a chance.
He's too skinny and too small.

I think that is not really a big problem because Coach Tim is good at managing players. And how about RJ Abarrientos? He is only around 5'11 and he is not really known as a strong defender either, though of course he is a point guard.

In terms of defense, I think Abando can actually be better, and he can also help in rebounding because of his athleticism and ability to jump.

We still dont really know the exact reason why he is not being used more, but I believe Renz can be very useful if utilized properly. The fact that he has already played overseas also shows that he has the talent to compete at a high level.