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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Bol, Brownlee set for Comm's Cup debuts

Bol, Brownlee set for Comm's Cup debuts

Published Mar 19, 2026 04:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Towering reinforcement Bol Bol of TNT and the old reliable Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra are set for their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup debut when their teams take on separate foes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 20.
Justin Brownlee, left, and Bol Bol.
Justin Brownlee, left, and Bol Bol.
The promising newcomer and the tried-and-tested old hand are ready to take the spotlight.
Towering reinforcement Bol Bol of TNT and the old reliable Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra are set for their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup debut when their teams take on separate foes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 20.
The 7-foot-3 center brimming with NBA talent and pedigree is first to take center stage when the Tropang 5G clash against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the opening game at 6:15 p.m.
The Kings resident import, meanwhile, follows suit in the second game as Ginebra tangles with the Macau Black Knights at 7:30 p.m.
With all the noise surrounding his arrival to the PBA, all eyes should be on the high-profile TNT recruit who played for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic in the NBA. For one, Bol is a legitimate NBA talent who is a rare specimen of height, agility and speed for PBA standards.
And Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao acknowledges that.
“Ang daming nag-a-anticipate ng larong ito because Bol has really been stirring up a lot of interest,” said Guiao, who will be relying on import Jaylen Johnson and local big men Santi Santillan, Beau Belga and Leonard Santillan to slow down the towering center.
“It’s going to be a fun game to play because a lot of people will be watching. And it’s also a challenge for how we are going to play a seven-footer with the skills of Bol. Medyo unique challenge iyon para sa amin and for me as a coach,” he expounded.
But it will be Bol’s first foray outside the US so he will still need help from the TNT locals led by All-Star players Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac as well as guys like RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading and the comebacking veteran Jayson Castro.
While Bol is hoping to make a mark on his first stint, Brownlee, on the other hand, aims to prove that he remains the benchmark for imports in the big league.
And while Brownlee has already displayed numerous epic moments, a lot are still anticipating what he can still offer on his 10th year playing in the PBA.
Of course, out to support him are Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt when they take on the formidable Macau led by Tony Mitchell alongside Damien Chongqui, Jenning Leung and Phoenix Shackelford.
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