The 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup has been fascinating and compelling so far, and a big reason for it are the imports. This crop of reinforcements have proven to be among the most talented in recent years, not to mention interesting as well. With that being said, it’s also worth looking back at past imports who made their mark in the PBA, just like this current batch is doing.
We thought of three:
Ivan Johnson (Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters)
Before former NBA player Bol Bol arrived in 2026, TNT—Talk ’N Text back in the day—had its own unforgettable import back in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup. Meet 6‑foot‑8 bruiser Ivan Johnson, remembered as much for his fiery personality as for his basketball skills.
Johnson joined midway through the tournament, replacing Richard Howell despite the team’s 4‑1 start. Under coach Jong Uichico, Talk ’N Text secured the No. 2 seed. Johnson went 4‑2 in the elimination round and proved his toughness in the playoffs.
Talk ’N Text defeated Barako Bull in the quarterfinals, then overcame Purefoods Star in four games after dropping the opener. Johnson averaged 22 points in the semifinals, showcasing his offensive versatility. In the finals against Rain or Shine, the series went to a dramatic Game 7 with double overtime. Johnson powered the Tropang Texters to the championship, averaging 26.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 2.5 assists across 18 games. He left as a champion and as one of the league’s most controversial imports.
Pierre Henderson‑Niles (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
Rain or Shine’s best franchise start at 7‑0 in this ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup is in large part due to import Jaylen Johnson. But coach Yeng Guiao also had an import who’s remembered more for defense and rebounding than scoring—Pierre Henderson‑Niles. It was an unconventional choice, but it worked for Guiao and Rain or Shine.
Rain or Shine brought in Henderson‑Niles late in the Commissioner’s Cup as a 6‑foot‑8 defensive anchor. With a 7‑4 record, the Elasto Painters entered the playoffs as the fifth seed against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. After a tight Game 1, Rain or Shine erased Ginebra’s twice‑to‑beat advantage, with Henderson‑Niles holding his own against Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
In the semifinals, Rain or Shine stunned San Miguel Beermen by sweeping them in three games. Henderson‑Niles’ rebounding and defense stood out, even though he scored sparingly. In the finals, the Elasto Painters defeated the Alaska Aces in six games, giving the franchise its second title. Henderson‑Niles averaged 9.6 points and 10.9 rebounds in 13 games, cementing his place in team history not with gaudy numbers and a Best Import award but with a title.
Chris McCullough (San Miguel Beermen)
The San Miguel Beermen have often struggled to find the perfect import to complement their elite local talent. While Bennie Boatwright delivered a championship in the 2023–24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Chris McCullough’s run remains one of the most memorable.
McCullough, a 6‑foot‑10 replacement import, helped San Miguel win three of its last four elimination games, scoring 40 points in his PBA debut. Against the NorthPort Batang Pier, he erased their twice‑to‑beat advantage and earned Best Player honors in the do‑or‑die quarterfinals.
In the semifinals against Rain or Shine, McCullough dropped 51 points in Game 3. Despite losing that game, San Miguel closed the series 3‑1 to advance. In the finals against the TNT KaTropa, led by NBA‑caliber import Terrence Jones, the Beermen trailed 2‑1. McCullough then carried the team to three straight wins, clinching the championship.
Curiously, McCullough has been vocal about his fervent desire to return to the PBA, particularly to reinforce the Beermen once again. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
Remembering the Commissioner’s Cup Imports of the 2010s
Finding the right import could be hit-or-miss, which is a lot like basketball anyways. So, as we watch the imports of the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup do their thing and make their mark in local hoops, let’s also not forget the impact of the imports from the 2010s. Johnson, Henderson‑Niles, and McCullough are just three of them, and each delivered a championship and unforgettable performance. In their own way, they proved that the right reinforcement can bring glory to their squads.
