TWELVE reinforcements, six newcomers and six returnees, will banner the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which will open today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings will once again rely on Justin Brownlee, while losing finalist San Miguel Beermen has brought back Charles Rhodes.
Two former NBA players were also suiting up in Terrence Jones for TNT KaTropa and Gani Lawal for Meralco Bolts, while NBA G-League veteran Chris Daniels is to play for Alaska Aces.
Other newcomer reinforcement this conference were Kyle Barone for Columbian Dyip, Prince Ibeh for the NorthPort Batang Pier and Curtis Washington for NLEX Road Warriors.
Returning imports this conference are Denzel Bowles for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Alex Stepheson for Blackwater Elite, John Fields for Magnolia Hotshots and Robert Dozier for Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Set to face each other in the first game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. are Elite and the Bolts to be followed by the match-up between the Aces and the Dyip at 6:45 in the evening.
The tournament format will be single-round robin with each team playing 11 games. Top eight teams will move to the quarterfinals with no. 1 and no.2 having twice-to-beat edge over no.8 and no.7, while no.3 vs no.6 and no.4 vs no.5 in best-of-three quarterfinals./PN
