For whatever reason that was not made public, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup will only feature a one-import format with unlimited height. This is totally unexpected after the league had hinted before the end of last season that the PBA could allow two imports per ballclub if a guest team, later determined as Hing Kong Eastern, plays in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the set-up has been finalized in time for the 27 November opening of the mid-season conference.
Eastern was already notified of the arrangement and is amenable to the rule pending its official enlistment as the 13th team in the import-laden meet.
"Kontrata na lang. Pero in principle ok na kami nung team owner (Frankie Yau). Kausap ko siya nung isang araw, nasa Europe siya. Gagawa na lang ng kontrata," said Marcial on Sunday prior to the sudden-death game between Converge and San Miguel for a seat in the Governors Cup quarterfinals.
Hong Kong Eastern, the former team of Christian Standhardinger in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), is expected to bring along a number of imports since the franchise is also seeing action in the East Asia Super League (EASL), where teams are allowed to field in two imports at a time.
However, Marcial said the Hong Kong-based team will only be allowed to play with a single import in the PBA.
"Pumayag sila dun na isang import lang. Pero puwede silang magpalit according sa regulations natin," added the commissioner.
As per PBA rules, the original import choice can be replaced and relegated to the injured/reserved list in order to be eligible for reactivation.
The replacement import on the other hand, once replaced, will no longer eligible to return for the duration of the conference.
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