Ginebra star Justin Brownlee leads the cast of imports locking horns in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, which will start in March.
Less than a month before the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup unfurls, teams are now wrapping up their official imports for the mid-season joust.
Save for Ginebra, most squads went for height to take advantage of the unlimited ceiling among reinforcements, with Terrafirma signing a seven-footer to shore up its frontline.
Here are the imports currently confirmed for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Ismael Romero (Meralco)
Meralco is sticking with a player that has been with the Bolts since October last year.
The 6-foot-9 Romero bolstered Meralco in the East Asia Super League, where the Bolts finished with a 3-3 record. The Puerto Rican also suited up for Suwon KT Sonicboom in Korea before joining Meralco.
Mubasha Ali (Terrafirma)
Terrafirma tapped seven-footer Mubasha Ali for the mid-season conference.
Born in Heisinki, Finland, the 28-year-old played US college ball for Florida Memorial University.
Terrell Brown-Soares (Magnolia)
Undrafted in the NBA, The 6-foot-9 Terrell Brown-Soares took his talents overseas and made stops in Mexico and Poland before now finding himself in the PBA.
Daniel Ochefu (Blackwater)
Daniel Ochefu is a seasoned journeyman who played for TNT in the EASL in 2023.
The 6-foot-11 center went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft but soon signed with Washington Wizards an appeared in 19 games.
Jaylen Johnson (Rain or Shine)
Like most teams, Rain or Shine tried to shore up its frontline by fielding in 6-9 Jaylen Johnson from Michigan.
He played in the NBA G-League before finding himself in South Korea suiting up for Goyang Sono Skygunners with Kevin Quiambao.
Cady Lalanne (NLEX)
Cady Lalanne was a second round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2015 but ended up overseas, making stops in Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Korea.
He recently played for Meralco in the EASL where he wound up with 18 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block against the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
James Dickey (Phoenix)
New coach Charles Tiu is bringing in 6-foot-10 James Dickey for the mid-season conference.
Those who follow Justin Brownlee’s journey will be familiar with the 29-year-old Dickey, who played with the naturalized Filipino in Indonesia with Pelita Jaya.
Justin Brownlee (Ginebra)
Of course, the Gin Kings will go for the tried-and-tested Justin Brownlee for the import-spiced conference. Brownlee is a six-time PBA champion with Ginebra and a three-time Best Import winner.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.