Giant imports battle as PBA Commissioner’s Cup fires off

Sports

THE highly anticipated Commissioner’s Cup of the PBA Season 50 will finally come off the wraps on Wednesday, March 11, with a double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Officially kicking off the mid-season conference is the 5:15 p.m. duel between the Terrafirma Dyip and Titan Ultra Giant Risers. Clashing in an explosive 7:30 p.m. main game are the Converge FiberXers and foreign guest team Macau Black Knights.

The Commissioner’s Cup has drawn so much interest after teams were allowed to sign up imports with unlimited height. Leading the towering reinforcements is former NBA player Bol Bol, the 7-foot-3 beanpole who was brought in by TNT Tropang 5G.

First to strut their wares are Converge’s Kylor Kelley, Terrafirma’s Mubashar Ali, Titan’s Michael Gilmore, and Macau’s Tony Mitchell.

It was previously reported that Macau’s was also bringing in Sam Deguara but the 7-foot-6 Italian-Maltese behemoth has reportedly signed up with a team in Taiwan.

Probably the busiest squad during the break was Converge, who brought in Calvin Abueva in a deal with Titan while also coming to terms with explosive scorer Mikey Williams.

Williams is finally seeing action after going on a hiatus for almost three years.

The FiberXers will be reinforced by the 7-foot Kelley, who played for several teams in the G-League, the developmental tournament of the National Basketball Association.

Terrafirma, meanwhile, will finally have Geo Chiu, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s rookie draft.

The 6-foot-10 Chiu is only making his debut in the mid-season conference as he needed to fulfill his obligation with the Abra Weavers in the Maharika Pilipinas Basketball League.(CCM)

last Sunday, March 8, at the Game Changer in Mandaue City.

Mortaseal Flexi bucked a depleted roster to dump Mortaplug, 97-92, while Duraplas Lite took down Mortaflow, 80-71.

Mortaseal Flexi showed up with only six available players but still came up with the lopsided win behind Fritz Devenadera, who collected 31 points, 12 rebounds, and assist.

Justince Aspacio contributed 24 points, six assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Chester Hinagdanan had his own double-double performance with 17 points, and 12 rebounds to go with seven assists and three steals.

Chriz Matunog and Carl Abellana added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Philip Alegado led the eliminated Mortaplug cagers with 28 points.

Duraplas Lite, on the other hand, leaned on the potent duo of Manuel Niere and Ed Ian Lapina, who carried the team to victory with 26 and 23 points, respectively.

Miguel Cenabre chipped in 13 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.

Jhaszriel Jumola topped Mortaflow with 21 points, while Genre Soriano tossed in 15 points and 10 rebounds.(CCM)