The PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup will feature imports of unlimited height, as well as guest team Hong Kong Eastern.
Just three days after Gilas Pilipinas close window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup will open with a double-header on Nov. 27.
Guest team Hong Kong Eastern will see action on opening day against Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. from the PhilSports Arena.
Ushering in the new conference is the Converge-Terrafirma match at 5:00 p.m.
The PBA is also continuing the Christmas games, with long-time rivals Ginebra and Magnolia figuring in the main event of the double-header.
In a conference that features imports of unlimited height, Ginebra and TNT are sticking with old reliables in Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The two, who led their respective teams to the Governors’ Cup Finals weeks ago, won’t square off until January 17 next year, though.
Meanwhile, George King and Ricardo Ratliffe are returning to the PBA.
Blackwater decided to tap King again after a tour-de-force campaign last conference. On the other hand, Ratliffe is back for some unfinished business for the franchise he left in 2018 when he was granted citizenship by South Korea.
There are also new faces in the mid-season conference.
Akil Mitchell introduced himself to Filipino fans when he steered Meralco to a come-from-behind 81-80 win over KBL champion Busan KCC Egis in the East Asia Super League just days ago.
Meanwhile, NorthPort, Converge, Phoenix, Rain or Shine, and Terrafirma bring in Kavell Bigby-Williams, Cheick Diallo, Donovan Smith, Kenneth Kadji, and Ryan Richards, respectively.
