The PBA is back after a brief three-week, and it is returning with another import-laced tournament the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. And after a swashbuckling Governors’ Cup, fans can expect more of the same in Season 49’s midseason tourney, which will begin on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
So, with the new conference about to start, we’re answering five questions you’re probably asking about the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Take a look:
What’s New for the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
Technically, nothing. That is unless we count the inclusion of Hong Kong Eastern as the guest team of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and the implementation of the unlimited height rule.
Both, of course, aren’t new in the strictest sense, as the PBA has been inviting guest teams over—the most recent being the Bay Area Dragons joining the 2022–23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. It’s Hong Kong Eastern’s turn now, and they will be parading a quartet of familiar faces—former Dragons Glen Yang, Hayden Blankley, and Kobey Lam as locals and former San Miguel Beerman Cameron Clark as import.
The no height limit rule isn’t entirely new either. The league had previously enforced it in the 2012 and 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cups and in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup for the bottom four teams of the preceding Philippine Cup. With an eye out for improving the competition, Asia’s first pay-for-play has once more scrapped the height limit after setting it at 6-foot-9 in the previous Commissioner’s Cups.
What’s the Format of the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
In the PBA Governors’ Cup, the league went with the groupings format followed by a crossover playoffs. It was a well-received change, but it won’t be used in the next conference, in part because the addition of Hong Kong Eastern means there’s an odd number of teams.
So, the PBA will be reverting to its usual single-round-robin format for the Commissioner’s Cup, where the 13 teams will play each other once. The top eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, with the top two seeds getting twice-to-beat incentives and seeds 3 thru 6 battling it out in best-of-threes. The semifinals and finals follow.
Who Are the Imports Playing in the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup imports will be an intriguing mix of proven returnees and new recruits:
Returning Imports
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (6-5) – TNT Tropang Giga
- Justin Brownlee (6-5) – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
- George King (6-4) – Blackwater Bossing
- Ricardo Ratliffe (6-8) – Magnolia Hotshots
- Cameron Clark (6-5) – Hong Kong Eastern
New Imports
- Kadeem Jack (6-9) – Northport Batang Pier
- Kenneth Kadji (6-11) – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
- Ryan Richards (6-11) – Terrafirma Dyip
- Akil Mitchell (6-9) – Meralco Bolts
- Cheick Diallo (6-8) Converge FiberXers
- Michael Griffin-Watkins (6-9) – NLEX Road Warriors
- Donovan Smith (6-9) – Phoenix Fuel Masters
Curiously, the San Miguel Beermen still have no import yet based on the lineups released by the PBA on Monday, November 25. The defending Commissioner’s Cup champs, though, are playing the East Asia Super League with former Converge import Quincy Miller as their reinforcement.
Which Players Went Where During the Offseason?
Here is a recap of the big trades and player movements that went down before the start of the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on November 27:
- Jordan Heading, the first overall pick of the 2020 PBA Special Draft, will finally be playing in the PBA, but not for Terrafirma. The prolific lefty will be suiting up for the FiberXers, who acquired Heading’s draft rights from the Dyip in exchange for Aljun Melecio, Keith Zaldivar, and a 2025 first-round pick.
- Terrafirma also traded Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig to San Miguel in exchange for Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel. The trade was finalized just two days before the conference began.
- Troy Rosario signed with Ginebra as a free agent.
When Will the 2024–25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Games Be Played?
Based on the schedule released by the PBA, double-headers will be played from Tuesday to Sunday, following the schedule used in the PBA Governors’ Cup. With six play dates a week, expect this upcoming conference to breeze by rather quickly—especially since the eliminations will only be a single-round-robin.
The first play date, as already mentioned, is on Wednesday, November 27, at the PhilSports Arena. The curtain riser will be the Converge going up against Terrafirma. The nightcap will see Phoenix taking on Hong Kong Eastern.
