COLUMN: Imports pump life into PBA

Alta Sportsa month ago · 383 views

COLUMN: Imports pump life into PBA image

Photo: TNT Tropang 5G/Facebook

By Art Ramirez

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Commissioner’s Cup is slated to open on Wednesday with an air of excitement hovering around, thanks to the imports that have come in.

A band of reinforcements are about to bring attention for the new conference, which could give the PBA a shot in the arm with the league still hounded by lean attendance especially during the elimination round.

Heading the imports that is expected to gain most of the eyeballs is TNT’s import Bol Bol.

With resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson out due to an Achilles tear, the Tropang 5G decided to bring another former NBA player in his place in Bol.

Standing at 7-foot-3, Bol is a big addition, and not just in a literal sense, as he had a relevant stint in the NBA as a rotation player with teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns during his time in the NBA. Fans of the PBA will surely want a glimpse, and even have a selfie with him, if the opportunity opens up.

Photo: TNT Tropang 5G/Facebook

One import that would also generate spectators in the league is Converge’s 7-foot-0 import Kylor Kelley, who also has a reputable career particularly in the G League, the second-tier league in the United States behind the NBA.

Photo: Converge FiberXers/Facebook

Since 2021, Kelley has been playing in different G League squads in the Austin Spurs, Raptors 905, Maine Celtics, and the South Bay Lakers. Kelley also had brief stints with the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans. With his resume and his team making upgrades by acquiring Calvin Abueva and Mikey Williams, Kelley could be the import that could elevate Converge after their disappointing quarterfinal finish during the Philippine Cup.

Photo: Converge FiberXers/Facebook

Other tall imports include another 7-footer in Mubashar Ali of Terrafirma, Daniel Ochefu of Blackwater, Tony Mitchell of Macau Black Knights, Terrell Brown-Soares of Magnolia, Marvin Jones of Meralco, Cady Lalanne of NLEX, James Dickey III of Phoenix Super LPG, Jaylen Johnson of Rain or Shine, and Michael Gilmore of Titan Ultra.

Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra will be the smallest among the group the 6-foot-7 import knows how to win against taller imports, having bagged two Commissioner’s Cup titles in his resume.

Photo: TNT Tropang 5G/Facebook

The entry of Bol and Kelley were made possible after the PBA board decided to remove the height limit for the Commissioner’s Cup during the 49th Season of the league, a move that should have been done a long time ago as no league in the world has a similar rule about reinforcements. In order to stay relevant with the times, Asia’s first professional basketball league must embrace globalization of basketball, just like their neighboring leagues in the continent led by Japan’s B.League.

But as they say, better late than never. And with the likes of Bol and Kelley now on local shores, it could only be a matter of time that the rule change reap fruits and the PBA once again become a destination for high-profile imports.

All comments 12