Topic: 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup - page 272. (Read 98965 times)

Yes, they're going to participant and join the EASL and that's why there's another league that we should watch and tune in.

IIRC, they're a guest team that shall participate in the next conference of PBA. So, if they're eligible for the playoffs, yes if they will reach to that point.

So, they only have weeks of rest and then the new conference will start again. I heard it from one of the commentators while I'm watching PBA (I think it's Dr. J) saying that Commissioners Cup's opening will be in September and he's right.

Anyway, is there any list of imports from each team already? Just don't include Ginebra because we already know their import.

I think they will. I mean what will be their reason of playing in the PBA if they will not join the playoffs.
PBA added them to increase the competition around the league. I think they are eligible because it will be useless for the Dragons if they will play in the PBA and will not be eligible in entering to the playoffs for whatever reason it is.

I saw the banner of the EASL league bracket and saw SMB and TNT on a different bracket.

Not looking at the details yet but it seems that 2 teams from local leagues of those joined countries will be the participants.

ls Bay Area Dragons eligible on joining the playoffs in the PBA? Is there any information about this?

Chot Reyes appearance really does matter on that Game 7. But the hell there's no reason or any detailed information why Chot put on health and safety protocols.
TNT is not really complete in that game starting from their coaching staff to problems with their players because of injuries. Even though some are playing, we can't hide the fact that they are suffering pain in their body.

TNT doesn't have a reliable big man and Erram got ejected early on in the game. That also gives SMB an advantage.

Alright, so just a couple of weeks' rest, and the PBA will now commence the 2nd conference of the season which is the Commissioners Cup.

September 21 is the opening of the PBA Commissioners Cup. And as previously announced by the PBA prior to the opening of the All-Filipino Cup, there will be a guest team next conference which is the Bay Area Dragons of the East Asia Super League.

For those who are unaware, Manila will host the EASL next year and PH representatives will be San Miguel Beermen and TNT Katropa.

Josh Reyes is the lead deputy of TNT in PBA that is why he is the one that subbed him during Chot's absence in Game 7. It is just unfortunate that their headcoach went under health protocols in the most important game of the season. In game 4 and 5, Josh is also out of the country to coach Gilas U-18 so assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga took the helm during that time. I think he did a good job considering TNT  is riddled with injuries and undermanned.

That's why it's really hard to give a team a good lead and then chase after it, because you might not have the legs needed in the fourth quarter. And I think this is what happen to TNT, they allow SMB to established a good lead, and then try to cut it out in the 3rd which they did. But SMB has the fresh legs in the 4th quarter and then make another run in which TNT can't respond anymore because they are all spent in the first 3 quarters chasing SMB.

We already have a good players for Gilas, maybe we just need to add key players from this two teams to help Gilas on their next quest. EASL is a good international league where our players can showcase their skills and talent, it’s good that top two team will be the chosen team to proceed internationally. Can’t wait to see them again, but hopefully they can have a good rest for now since they just finish the long season.

It's an exciting league to see and how these two will perform there. I think it won't affect the next season, as usual, there's a settlement for their schedules so that's all been set though.

I think that Chot will still be there, it just so happens that he's on the hot seat from the issue that he's got from Gilas and TNT. Well, there's the politics as usual.
If you're going to think about it, the TNT management just allowed this to happen despite there's the contract. Is Josh the assistant coach or he was just appointed by his father? If not, then it should be the assistant coach that should be coaching them on that game 7.

Speaking of coaches, coach Yeng Guiao is back on ROS.

After that loss not sure if fans will embrace the possibilities that choke son will replace him for that higher post, though it's very possible as we know how close choke with MVP, he can do everything he wants even there are fans who already showing disappointment. It's their money, and it's a business. Maybe MVP loves that, hype an even negative, writeup still a way of advertisement.

We don't know what the future will bring but the thing here is Castro did try everything that he've got and we have seen him playing with the same kind of passion way back in his prime.



The deep bench of SMB plays them well during the final quarter. SMB manage to rest Fajardo as Lassiter, Ross and Perez explode in sealing the win.

I think they look exhausted in the 4th quarter as they have a big run in the 3rd quarter, there are even times that they lead the game, but in the 4th quarter, it was really the dominant SMB that took over the game, IIRC, it started with a 17-0 run, that's unbelievable.

Rightfully. He scored 2 points in game 6 where they could have closed the finals if he performed in his normal scoring average. And again in game 7, though he was a monster in the first half, he was very cold when it matters the most. He failed to score in the 4th quarter when the team needed someone to carry them.


TNT is exhausted in the 3rd quarter and because some of them are injured and Erram was ejected from the game, there is not much rotation from the players. Castro playing on a sprained ankle is just forcing himself to play. He performed well though you can really see that he is hurt every time he landed on his feet.

That one are more exciting, it's an international competition and hopefully the players that will represent in FIBA are coming from the two best teams in the PBA since with this EASL tournament, they will gain more experience. SMB are now celebrating, especially JMF who won both player of the conference and finals MVP.

They still have more conference to come and it looks like SMB and TNT will surely meet again in the upcoming EASL, since the top 2 PBA teams will be the one to represent for the this. EASL are compose of international teams, this can be a good exposure for the PBA teams. Well, we have to move on now and accept the fact that  SMB really deserve the championship. I can't wait to see EASL this year, I'm just wondering if this can affect the upcoming season in PBA.

Chot's son subbed him in the very final game. Is it a coincidence? We don't know if it's just a coincidence or if it's planned. Too many problems existed on their end and that's already a sign that they won't have a good game 7.
Well, they should just do better next time. I saw how Castro tried his best but it's not really that enough when it's already too late.

True, but the game is over, they can't bring back the past, we call it unfortunate or bad actions from them, and hopefully they'll learn from their mistakes. Basketball is not just like a physical game, it's also a mind game, it's just that SMB were to clever that time.

They had a huge problem in game 7, not having their coach is already a major problem, and Erram was unlucky he got ejected, he could be a big used to at least limit Fajardo, but he wasn't careful enough. What I've seen also is Mikey Williams not able to continue his good start, he was very limited in the 2nd half so Castro really has nothing in terms of help.

Thanks mate, until next conference, let's do the same competition.

Congrats to my fellow winners as well, it was a great series, we are lucky SMB won.

@harizen, sending you a DM.

From having a 5-point lead going to the 4th quarter to scoring only 8 points in the 4th quarter, it's a total breakdown for the TNT at that time already.
If you watched the whole game, you saw in the 4th quarter that they are shooting threes from everywhere, but it doesn't go in. Three-point shooting for me is a double-edged sword. If you sink your threes, you will win the game but if you keep missing and missing, you will experience what the TNT experienced in the 4th quarter.

I celebrated myself in our house even though I'm only watching alone. I celebrated with my dogs because my team SMB won a championship again . The next conference will be starting I think this month as well but correct me if I'm wrong. There are many imports already in the country including Justin Brownlee.

Did you watch the ceremony after the game?
I saw how frustrated Mikey Williams is when they are giving the runner-up trophy to them . It's kinda funny how the leader in scoring this conference got exposed by Magnolia and also by SMB.

Regarding if Williams deserve that million contract, I think he still deserves it. I know that this sounds funny but in NBA, there are some players who are given huge contract but can't contribute enough to match how much they paid them. Just see Westbrook for example, the Lakers paid him huge money, but he played awful.

I believe Williams will make some adjustments next season and he will not solely focus on scoring anymore. We saw him passing as well against Magnolia in the Semi Finals so we might see him develop some passing ability after this conference. You can say that he choked in the Semis and in the Finals, but I think the perfect work that will fit for him is "he got exposed" that's why he contributed way lower than his usual numbers.

Can't blame them TBH if they choked in the 4th quarter.
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Coach Chot isn't there because of health and safety protocols, Erram got a Flagrant foul penalty 2, Khobuntin had an MCL injury, Castro still played even though his ankle is still hurting and their three-point shots in the 4th quarter isn't going in. Overall, TNT's chances of winning are way lower because of these and like I said, three-point shooting is a double-edged sword. You sink threes, you win but if you don't then it will hurt you. That Game 7 is still a good game to watch for me and for the 15,000+ who watched .

11 lead by the SMB at the end of the 2nd quarter. At that time I think SMB will now have a sure chance of winning.

5 lead by TNT at the end of the 3rd quarter, I can't believe how TNT return on their momentum and was even able to get the lead.

4th quarter that was expected to be close and tight becomes entertainment.

Game 7 of the Finals should be more intense to watch if TNT were able to give SMB a good competition in the last quarter.