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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Playoff contenders NLEX, Magnolia open Comm's Cup bids

Playoff contenders NLEX, Magnolia open Comm's Cup bids

Published Mar 12, 2026 12:43 pm  |  Updated Mar 12, 2026 01:14 pm

At A Glance

  • Playoff contenders NLEX and Magnolia aim for a winning start in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup campaigns against separate foes on Friday, March 13 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
JB Bahio (PBA Images)
JB Bahio (PBA Images)

Playoff contenders NLEX and Magnolia aim for a winning start in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup campaigns against separate foes on Friday, March 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Road Warriors open up their bids against the Blackwater Bossing in the first offering at 5 p.m. before the Hotshots tangle against the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the second game at 7:30 p.m.

For NLEX, outside usual suspects in Robert Bolick, Xyrus Torres and JB Bahio, all eyes are surely on their biggest offseason acquisition Schonny Winston as well as import Cady Lalanne.

A 2015 NBA second round pick, Lalanne is bringing in talent and wealth of experience from playing around the globe to the Road Warriors who are looking to best their quarterfinals finish from the last conference.

Winston, on the other hand, seemed to be a perfect fit to the system being run by head coach Jong Uichico, considering his past performances with previous team Converge.

But Blackwater is certainly no pushover, tapping a returning import in Daniel Ochefu to help local stars Christian David, Dalph Panopio and Sedrick Barefield.

Unlike NLEX, which had plenty of time with its import, Magnolia, on the other hand, has just tapped a new one even before starting its campaign.

The Hotshots have given the pink slip to first choice Terrell Brown-Soares and went on to tap the services of South Sudanese Nuni Omot.

The 6-foot-9 forward would have little time to integrate himself to the system of head coach LA Tenorio so heavier loads are surely on the shoulders of rising stars Jerom Lastimosa and Zavier Lucero as well as veterans Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Mark Barroca.

For one, the Fuel Masters are looking like a dark horse of the conference with new head coach Charles Tiu at the helm.

Ricci Rivero, Ken Tuffin, Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay should remain as focal points of offense to complement import James Dickey III.

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