The PBA Commissioner’s Cup makes its debut at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a potentially explosive double-header featuring two more teams—TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel—playing their first game in the midseason tourney. They will be taking on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Macau Black Knights, respectively.
1. Just How Good Is Bol Bol?
It’s not every day that an NBA player in his athletic prime comes to play in the PBA, but when one does, it seems he usually plays for TNT. The Tropang 5G are at it again this Commissioner’s Cup, bringing in 7-foot-3 Bol Bol to fill in for the injured Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. A legit NBA talent, Bol brings in glowing credentials and is only 26, which only means one thing: He’s got plenty in that tank. But how good is he, really? Fans will find out soon enough.
2. What Does Rain or Shine Have for Bol Bol?
Perhaps it is only fitting that Bol Bol makes his debut against Rain or Shine, which has become somewhat of a rival for TNT after their semis face-offs. Crucially, you can best believe Yeng Guiao will have something for the South Sudanese reinforcement, and that could likely be some rugged, physical defense. Whatever it is, the Elasto Painters will surely try to give Bol Bol his welcome-to-the-PBA moment as they aim for their second straight win to start the Commissioner’s Cup.
3. How’s Justin Brownlee?
Now, no, Justin Brownlee isn’t injured. But he’s turning 38 in a few days and looked uneven in Gilas Pilipinas’ latest FIBA window. Even so, Tim Cone is confident that JB is the import for Ginebra and has all but dared teams to prove to him that Brownlee should actually be replaced. The Black Knights will be the first in line, and JB probably would like to show right away that he can still make magic. A good showing to start the Commissioner’s Cup for the Barangay would be big.
4. Can Macau Pull It Together?
So far, the Commissioner’s Cup guests have been pretty competitive despite going 0-2. The problem with the Black Knights, it seems, is that they can’t put together a full 48-minute effort, collapsing in the fourth quarter against the Converge FiberXers and falling apart in the second half versus Rain or Shine. With another loss likely to be costly, expect Macau to go for broke tonight to get that elusive first win. But can they play well for 48 minutes against a championship contender?
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Action
Today’s Commissioner’s Cup double-header will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time this conference. The first game will see TNT making its debut opposite Rain or Shine, with tip-off at 5:00 p.m. Next, Ginebra will play its first game in the midseason tourney as well against Macau. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
