Macau to join PBA?

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday there is strong interest from the Macau Black Bears to compete in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups this season but it will be up to the Board of Governors to decide the extent of their participation.

Marcial said Macau general manager Lucas Peng and former PBA director of marketing Jacque Ruby visited the PBA office recently to discuss the Black Bears’ plans this season. Aside from the second and third conferences, Macau is also keen to join the mini pocket-tournament that PBA intends to roll out during the 40-day recess to give way to the Nagoya Asian Games on Sept. 19-Oct. 4.

“May isa pang team from Southeast Asia na nag-express ng interest to participate pero waiting kami for confirmation,” said Marcial. “’Di muna namin sasabihin kung anong team hangga’t ‘di pa malinaw ang usapan.”

The Commissioner’s Cup is set on March 11-May 13 with no height limit for imports while the Governors’ Cup is scheduled to start July 10 with a 6-6 height limit for imports. Marcial said it’s a challenge to navigate through the three FIBA World Cup qualifying windows and Asian Games next year. The PBA will stretch its 50th season until the end of 2026 because of the gaps. For this reason, the next draft will be in January 2027, allowing players from UAAP, NCAA and MPBL to end their seasons before joining the lottery.

Because the Commissioner’s Cup features imports of unlimited height, it’s expected that Macau will be bannered by 7-6 giant Sam Deguara. For the Governors’ Cup, the Black Bears could choose between 6-6 Omari Peek-Green of Alabama A&M University or 6-5 Torrance Watson of the University of Missouri, both of whom are playing for Macau with Deguara in EASL this season.  US-born Macau locals Damian Chongqui and Phoenix Shackelford are eligible for both conferences.

“Kung anong eligibility rules applied sa Bay Area at Hong Kong Eastern dati, ganoon din for the coming foreign team,” said Marcial. “Isang import lang at ‘yung mga locals, kailangan may documents proving citizenship.”