NLEX signed Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal, who they acquired in a three-team trade with Converge and Meralco, in time for their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup debut.
Magnolia makes its debut in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, March 13, banking on new import Nuni Omot to set the tone against the Phoenix Friday night, March 13.
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m., right after the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser between the NLEX and Blackwater at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Hotshots head into the contest with a fresh look up front after bringing in Omot just days before their conference debut.
The 6-foot-9 forward replaces Terrel Brown-Saores as the Hotshots’ reinforcement, adding versatility to a squad eager to make an early impression in the import-laden tournament.
Omot last saw action for Al Riyadi Club Beirut in the FIBA West Asia Super League, where he averaged nearly 22 points, five rebounds, and over two assists per game.
The South Sudanese is also no stranger to Philippine basketball fans, after representing his home country in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup games held in Manila.
Omot is expected to provide Magnolia a dynamic option on both ends of the floor as he links up with a balanced core of veterans and young guns.
Among those expected to shoulder the load alongside him are Jerom Lastimosa, Javi Gomez de Liaño, Zavier Lucero, veteran playmaker Mark Barroca, and longtime big man Ian Sangalang.
Still, Omot will be thrown straight into the fire in his Magnolia debut as he squares off against Phoenix reinforcement James Dickey.
Unlike the Magnolia import, Dickey has had the benefit of time practicing with the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix also enters the game with several changes of its own. The Fuel Masters are now under the guidance of new coach Charles Tiu, who takes over the reins from Willy Wilson, while rookie forward Will Gozum adds youth and energy to the team’s rotation.
Earlier in the evening, NLEX and Blackwater collide in the opening game of the doubleheader, with the Road Warriors showcasing new acquisitions Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal.
Both players were acquired by NLEX in a recent three-team trade involving the Converge FiberXers and the Meralco Bolts, and will immediately be counted on to provide depth and additional scoring for the Road Warriors.
Their arrival gives NLEX more perimeter firepower and defensive options as it looks to gain an early foothold in the conference, while Blackwater hopes to spoil their debut behind its own mix of veterans and young players in what could be a tightly contested curtain-raiser.
The games will be available on the One Sports YouTube page, as well as on the Pilipinas Live app, RPTV, and PBA Rush.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI and reviewed by editorial staff for accuracy.]