2026 PBA Governor's Cup

[Ziskinberg]

Gilas just completed their two tune-up games against South Korea and the result wasn't impressive for them as they were blown out on those two games, South Korea were deadly on the rainbow as usual while Gilas 2.0's chemistry was clearly wasn't there.

I read that it was another blowout loss for Gilas, so I guess that first loss was not just a bad game.

With these two blowout losses in the tune-up games, it’s really hard to expect too much, especially since this lineup is all-Filipino and not even made up of our best players. Still, these are just tune-up games, so I’m hoping they can adjust before the actual tournament. At this point though, I’d already be happy if Gilas can win at least one game.

[Russlenat]

With these two blowout losses in the tune-up games, it’s really hard to expect too much, especially since this lineup is all-Filipino and not even made up of our best players. Still, these are just tune-up games, so I’m hoping they can adjust before the actual tournament. At this point though, I’d already be happy if Gilas can win at least one game.

This isn’t what we were expecting, after a successful run at home, this new team suddenly looks not competitive at all.

It’s not like we’re playing against European teams, these are still Asian teams, so getting blown out twice is really something worth thinking about. Maybe Coach Tim needs to ask himself if he really chose the right players to represent us.

Of course we will still support Gilas, but if they lose like this in the actual games, it will be hard to feel proud of the performance. Hopefully they prove us wrong when the real tournament starts.

[mirakal]

Of course we will still support Gilas, but if they lose like this in the actual games, it will be hard to feel proud of the performance. Hopefully they prove us wrong when the real tournament starts.

This is probably the first time I’ve seen Gilas lose this badly in exhibition games. By September 11 they will already start the actual tournament against Bahrain. I don’t know much about Bahrain, but among the three teams in our group, they look like the most beatable opponent. So if Gilas cannot win that first game, then honestly it will be very hard to expect them to beat Kazakhstan and especially China after that.

[bisdak40]

Have you guys read that post regarding Kai Sotto being drafted in the PBA because of his plan to join the US NCAA was derail because he was flagged due to his professional earnings as he has played professionally in Australia and Japan.

I don't know the reason but is he not eligible to play again in the Japan B-league as the compensation there is far way greater than playing in the PBA or explore his option in other countries such as Korea or Taiwan.

Nevertheless, it would also be great to see him playing in the PBA but i want him to play to an independent team like Rain or Shine not in the SMC or MVP Group of Companies. If healthy in his rookie year then i think he will be the one to duplicate Benjie Paras' achievement of being the only player to got the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in a single season.

[LogitechMouse]

Have you guys read that post regarding Kai Sotto being drafted in the PBA because of his plan to join the US NCAA was derail because he was flagged due to his professional earnings as he has played professionally in Australia and Japan.

I don't know the reason but is he not eligible to play again in the Japan B-league as the compensation there is far way greater than playing in the PBA or explore his option in other countries such as Korea or Taiwan.
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I haven't seen any news regarding him getting drafted in the PBA, and I don't see him playing in our league as well. I mean for me, there are still other teams outside PH that could give him higher salary compared to the PBA, and no offense to our league, but the monthly salary compared to other leagues out there is very, very low.

Now as for the US NCAA getting derailed, you can read more on this link: LINK. That's true unfortunately and that might've shut down his hopes in playing in the US or at least in the NBA as well. As for him not eligible to play in Japan B-league, I haven't seen any news article about it, and I don't even think that it's true either way. It's just that it's harder for now to play there right now because majority of the teams already have filled the slots for Asian imports.

Like what I said, I don't see him playing in the PBA now that he's on his prime years. I'd rather risk playing overseas than going back if I'm him. I still believe that there are still teams out there that would like to have somebody like him on their team.

[Ziskinberg]

Now as for the US NCAA getting derailed, you can read more on this link: LINK. That's true unfortunately and that might've shut down his hopes in playing in the US or at least in the NBA as well. As for him not eligible to play in Japan B-league, I haven't seen any news article about it, and I don't even think that it's true either way. It's just that it's harder for now to play there right now because majority of the teams already have filled the slots for Asian imports.

Sad for him, I’m not too familiar with the rules yet, does he really have to play in the NCAA first before he can get drafted into the NBA?

What about players like Wemby and others, I think they didn’t play in the NCAA, they just entered the draft and got picked. Just correct me if I’m wrong on this one.

It’s really sad to see Kai’s NBA dream having so many blockers along the way, because for us, he’s probably still the best chance to see a full-blooded Filipino finally make it to the NBA.

[mirakal]

Now as for the US NCAA getting derailed, you can read more on this link: LINK. That's true unfortunately and that might've shut down his hopes in playing in the US or at least in the NBA as well. As for him not eligible to play in Japan B-league, I haven't seen any news article about it, and I don't even think that it's true either way. It's just that it's harder for now to play there right now because majority of the teams already have filled the slots for Asian imports.

Sad for him, I’m not too familiar with the rules yet, does he really have to play in the NCAA first before he can get drafted into the NBA?

No, not necessary, NCAA is more about exposure. If you play well there and become popular, then you have a bigger chance of getting noticed and drafted, but it’s not really a prerequisite to enter the NBA.

What about players like Wemby and others, I think they didn’t play in the NCAA, they just entered the draft and got picked. Just correct me if I’m wrong on this one.

It’s really sad to see Kai’s NBA dream having so many blockers along the way, because for us, he’s probably still the best chance to see a full-blooded Filipino finally make it to the NBA.

Kai’s NBA dream is still alive, though he can’t enter the draft again since he already did in 2022 and no team picked him.

But it’s still possible if an NBA team is willing to give him a chance, not necessarily directly on the NBA roster. He could start through Summer League or the G League, prove himself there, and maybe eventually earn an NBA contract.

[bhadz]

Sad for him, I’m not too familiar with the rules yet, does he really have to play in the NCAA first before he can get drafted into the NBA?

I am also not familiar with it but based on what I've read, he's got more chances to enter NBA through NCAA. But he has chosen a different path at that time when he should be there. I think I remember it when he has to choose playing there and in G League but he's got that handler that didn't prioritized it.

What about players like Wemby and others, I think they didn’t play in the NCAA, they just entered the draft and got picked. Just correct me if I’m wrong on this one.

Wemby and the others are one of a kind, I mean no disrespect for our Kai. But he's also a generational talent but he needs more exposure and his one way of going into the NBA is with his exposure on the FIBA and has to dominate it.

It’s really sad to see Kai’s NBA dream having so many blockers along the way, because for us, he’s probably still the best chance to see a full-blooded Filipino finally make it to the NBA.

There's still some hope in it, I'm sure that there can be ways. No need for so much connection to handle it for him, his talent will be noticed and just like Yuki Kawamura when got noticed through FIBA, that will be his way too.