THOUGHTS | THE MACAU BLACK BEARS WILL PLAY IN THE PBA

So I guess it’s official.

The Macau Black Bears are now in the PBA.

The PBA Commissioner’s Cup has always had its share of guest teams, like the Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern. That said, I was kind of hoping Hong Kong would still come back and try to improve on their previous finish. Anyway, the PBA will likely enforce the same rules they applied to past guest teams.

One thing I thought they might do, though, is require a couple of Filipinos on the roster. It doesn’t even have to be top-tier prospects who haven’t been drafted yet. This could be a good vehicle for free agents to play, showcase themselves, and catch the attention of the main PBA teams.

Like, instead of DJ Fenner, why not give a guy like Ato Barba a shot?

I get that Macau will probably explore other options, especially since they’re not exactly landing a generational talent who can instantly mesh with everyone. But having someone like Greg Slaughter, Vic Manuel, Terrence Romeo, or another veteran who can basically act as a “tour guide” for what to expect in the league could be a big help.

The biggest issue with guest teams is that they’re often treated like a hostile party, and it’s hard to explain why beyond the whole hometown-versus-conqueror dynamic. Still, the PBA could add more flavor by linking a so-called “undesirable” player to their roster.

Honestly, I still don’t understand why a guy like Romeo isn’t in the PBA. He entered the league at around 22, and with the accolades he achieved, you’d think he’d still be playing well into his late 30s. He turns 34 this March, which is basically the same age Stephen Holt is now before he turns 35 in December.

It’s unfortunate how some talents get lost in the shuffle, even when it’s supposedly due to attitude issues that, if we’re being honest, haven’t even been clearly established as the reason he hasn’t signed with a PBA team.

That said, Macau will definitely make the Commissioner’s Cup more exciting. Aside from the usual SMC-versus-MVP narrative or the top teams going up against Converge, every matchup they have against a top PBA squad is bound to gain traction.

Hopefully, they get to see action in the Governors’ Cup as well.

Or maybe the PBA can introduce some innovation in that conference to help it stand out, because the current “teams with imports” setup has gone stale, especially with so many leagues popping up not just in the Philippines, but all over Asia.