These reinforcements could bring plenty of insights to the league.
Could the upcoming Commissioner's Cup help push the league towards a more European style of basketball?
Veteran sports journalist Quinito Henson seems to think so, as he expressed optimism regarding the variety of imports.
Looks like PBA squads got plenty of ideas after watching the FIBA World Cup in Manila, and after seeing what other teams can do in the East Asia Super League.
"I see so much diversity and versatility," Quinito said on One PH's Power & Play last Saturday. "Many of them have experience in European basketball. We all know that seems to be the trend now, where the big guy is so versatile, can pass, can shoot from the outside, and no longer just a post-up player."
Two of the PBA Commissioner's Cup imports played in the FIBA World Cup: TNT Tropang Giga's Rondae Hollis Jefferson for Jordan and Blackwater Bossing's Chris Ortiz for Puerto Rico. Converge FiberXers' Tom Vodanovich, meanwhile, suited up for New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Terrafirma Dyip signed up Belgian player Thomas Hugo de Thaey, while Meralco Bolts' Suleiman Braimoh is Nigerian, who also played in the New Zealand Basketball League, Germany's Basketball Bundesliga, and Spain's Liga ACB.
Five PBA squads took American-born players, namely Tyler Tarik Bey of the Magnolia Hotshots, Thomas Robinson of the NLEX Road Warriors, Johnathan Williams of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Dajuan Summers of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Tyler Stone of the San Miguel Beermen. The five have plied their trades all over Europe, including Turkey, Israel, Russia, Spain, Italy, and France.
NorthPort Batang Pier's Venky Jois is Australian and has played around Europe as well.
At least four of the imports have also competed in either the Korean Basketball League or the Japan B.League.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has yet to name an import amid the difficult issue surrounding Justin Brownlee, although Henson already gave hints that the team has found a replacement.
The PBA did promise a "reinvigorated" Season 48, which will open on November 5, and embracing the European style of basketball could be one way of looking at it. Plus, enforcers could get more leeway with the new rule of allowing three technical fouls before a player gets ejected.
Could be fun times for the PBA.
(PM)