Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — NorthPort vs Magnolia
8 p.m. — Ginebra vs Converge
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will kick off its title defense without its resident import in Justin Brownlee when it collides with Converge in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Action starts at 8 p.m. with the Kings expected to come up with some key adjustments after losing Brownlee, who tested positive for a banned substance in the aftermath of the country’s historic stint in the 19th Asian Games in China last month.
The International Basketball Federation has yet to formally announce the length of suspension it will impose on the 35-year-old naturalized player but the Ginebra management has decided to move on and deploy new faces who will fill the huge void created by his absence.
With Brownlee out, Ginebra will have a new import in Tony Bishop, who is no stranger to the Filipino brand of play after leading Meralco to the finals of the Governors’ Cup finals in 2021.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said it seems that they found a gem in the 6-foot-7 Bishop, who averaged 25.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game during his first tour of duty in the country two years ago.
“I would say he’s a good fit because he’s a good team player and he understands what we’re doing and he’s very much familiar with us,” said Cone, who was obviously impressed with the performance of Bishop in their buildup for the season-opening conference.
“But more than anything else, his skill set and his high IQ, which had given our team problems when we faced Meralco in the finals, will be more valuable for us.”
Aside from Bishop, the Kings will also parade Maverick Ahanmisi, who is expected to do the damage in the backcourt against the team who let him walk away in free agency.
“He gives us versatility,” Cone said.
“He can be our lead guard, he gets his teammates involved, he spreads the floor, he’s deadly in the open court.”
With Bishop and Ahanmisi on board, together with mainstays Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, the Kings will be coming as a solid force to be reckoned with against a Converge squad that struggled in its first two matches.
“Guys can’t wait to start playing in the PBA again,” said Cone, whose core had been very busy in the off-season after seeing action in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Asian Games. Even Cone is also coming off a pair of international assignments, making him eager to steer the Ginebra bench again.
“I’m also excited to be back,” he said.
“We’re a process and system-oriented team. We take it day-by-day, working hard to get better. That’s our focus. But our goal is to win the championship.”
Meanwhile, Magnolia and NorthPort — two of the hottest teams in the early stretch of the tournament — part ways as they clash in the other game at 4 p.m.
The Hotshots and the Bolts both fashion 2-0 win-loss slates, making the battle very intense as the winner will claim the solo lead.
Magnolia will be powered by an energetic import in Tyler Bey, who posted impressive numbers of 31.5 points, 18 rebounds and three steals in their first two matches.
“He’s an energy guy, very, very athletic,” Victolero said.
“He can play on both ends of the floor, but I commend him more for his discipline.”
“He’s our best perimeter player, but he also serves as our best rim protector. Tyler is one guy who doesn’t complain, doing the things all the players normally do at practice and that great attitude allowed him to develop more chemistry with our local players.”
