TOP TEN | WORST IMPORTS OF THE 2024-25 PBA SEASON

FROM THE ONE SPORTS WEBSITE

In the PBA, imports are the game-changers. They are hired guns brought in to carry their teams to victory. Some succeed, helping elevate their squads to championship contention.

Others, however, end up leaving more questions than answers.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the 10 worst PBA imports of the 2024-25 season. While they might’ve posted some decent stats, their inability to lead their teams to wins, or worse, their disastrous performances, ultimately sealed their fate.

Game starts now.

PBA / SPIN.PH

10 | ANTONIO HESTER | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

10 GAMES | 19.3PPG - 10.6RPG - 3.7APG - 1.3SPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 9

Terrafirma made a lot of puzzling moves this season, and keeping Antonio Hester for the entire conference despite a miserable 1-9 record was one of them. Hester has a solid track record, but he’s not the kind of import who can take over games with his scoring—he’s more of a bruiser who controls the paint rather than a dominant offensive force. His presence wasn’t enough to mask the chaos within Terrafirma, especially with Christian Standhardinger opting to retire rather than suit up for the team. What made it even worse was that while teams like Magnolia and San Miguel quickly pulled the plug on underperforming imports, Terrafirma stuck with Hester for the long haul, ensuring he collected a stable paycheck by the end of the eliminations. If they had gambled on an explosive super-scoring import like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or George King instead, they might have at least stood a fighting chance.

PBA / SPIN.PH

9 | BRANDONE FRANCIS | PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

7 GAMES | 28.7PPG - 6.7RPG - 4.4APG - 1.0SPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 6

Brandone Francis’ tenure with Phoenix was marked by inconsistency and a lack of impact when it mattered most. While he averaged impressive numbers, the truth is that his stats didn’t lead to wins. Phoenix only managed to snap a 0-7 start when it was already too late. The team ended up in last place in Group B, and despite his high-scoring output, Francis couldn’t turn things around. Unfortunately for Francis, it didn't help his cause that Phoenix's locals underdelivered. At the end of the day, Phoenix needed more than just a volume scorer—they needed a true game-changer.

PBA / ONE SPORTS

8 | JABARI NARCIS | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN

2024-25 PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP

3 GAMES | 21.0PPG - 14.3RPG - 0.7APG - 1.3BPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 2

Jabari Narcis was another import whose high individual stats didn’t translate into team success. San Miguel’s import choices during this conference were nothing short of disastrous, and Narcis, San Miguel's third import in the Commissioner's Cup, added to that narrative. Despite his impressive rebounding and scoring numbers, his lack of playmaking and defensive presence left the team looking for answers. San Miguel couldn’t find any semblance of a rhythm with Narcis on the floor, posting a 1-2 record during his short stay. His stint epitomized the team’s struggles in finding the right import to complement their roster. That said, his replacement was worse.

PBA / DUGOUT PHILIPPINES

7 | QUINCY MILLER | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN

2024-25 PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP

3 GAMES | 15.7PPG - 10.3RPG - 2.0APG - 1.3SPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 2

2012 NBA DRAFT | ROUND 2 | PICK 38 | DENVER NUGGETS

PICKED BEFORE | KHRIS MIDDLETON

4 SEASONS | 69 GAMES | 5.3PPG - 2.4RPG - 0.5APG

DENVER NUGGETS, SACRAMENTO KINGS, DETROIT PISTONS

Quincy Miller’s brief time with San Miguel didn’t offer much more than disappointment. With just three games under his belt and a 1-2 record, it was clear San Miguel's first Commissioner's Cup import wasn’t the answer to the team’s championship drive. Though he had a solid rebounding presence, his scoring ability and overall impact were far from what the team needed. His offensive game wasn’t polished enough to carry San Miguel through tough competition, and his lack of consistency doomed the squad. It also didn't help that June Mar Fajardo played like an import, and Miller acted as a precedent or cautionary tale to his successors.

PBA / SPIN.PH

6 | MALIK POPE | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN

2024-25 PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP

4 GAMES | 12.5PPG - 9.5RPG - 1.0APG - 1.5BPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 3

Malik Pope’s stint with San Miguel was a glaring example of the team’s misstep in their import selection for this conference. Out of all the imports they brought in, Pope arguably had the toughest time adjusting to the PBA's physicality, and his impact on both ends of the floor was minimal. While his rebounding efforts showed some promise, it wasn’t nearly enough to lift the Beermen, who failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015—a spot Pope could have helped them secure but ultimately couldn’t. His lack of contribution left San Miguel stuck with him, forcing the rest of the team to pick up the slack. In one game, he only managed to score four points, and in the Beermen’s final outing, he finished with just ten, a tally matched by the seldom-used Mo Tautuaa, while JMF stepped up with a commanding 34 points.

PBA / TIEBREAKER TIMES

5 | SHELDON MAC | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

1 GAME | 16.0PPG - 1.0RPG - 1.0APG - 1.0SPG - 1.0BPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 1 - 0

2016 NBA DRAFT | UNDRAFTED

1 SEASON | 30 GAMES | 3.0PPG - 1.1RPG - 0.5APG

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Sheldon Mac’s one-game appearance with San Miguel was a curious case. He put up respectable numbers in his debut, contributing 16 points and showing some versatility with a rebound, assist, steal, and block. While the Beermen secured the win, it quickly became clear that Mac had limitations. Yes, PBA imports don’t always need to score 20 points or more to be effective, but they need to make up for it with strong rebounding and defense. San Miguel was already loaded with 3-and-D players, and if Mac was only going to contribute his 16 points without providing much else, they might as well have played All-Filipino. The Beermen ultimately decided to move on from Mac, bringing in Nigerian super scorer EJ Anosike to replace him.

PBA / TIEBREAKER TIMES

4 | JAYVEOUS MCKINNIS | PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

2 GAMES | 14.0PPG - 14.5RPG - 1.0APG - 1.0BPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 0 - 2

Jayveous McKinnis showed flashes of talent during his short stay with Phoenix, posting respectable numbers, including a solid rebounding average. But the reality was that Phoenix just couldn’t make it work with him, as evidenced by their 0-2 record with him in the lineup. McKinnis’ lack of scoring ability and failure to make a significant impact on the offensive end made it clear that he wasn’t the solution for Phoenix. The team needed a player who could dominate both ends of the floor, not just put up decent stats in losing efforts. His brief stint was ultimately a forgettable one for both him and the team. He was then replaced by Brandone Francis.

PBA / SPIN.PH

3 | RICKY LEDO | BLACKWATER BOSSING

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

2 GAMES | 9.0PPG - 8.5RPG - 2.5APG - 1.0SPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 0 - 2

2013 NBA DRAFT | ROUND 2 | PICK 43 | MILWAUKEE BUCKS

3 SEASONS | 28 GAMES | 3.9PPG - 1.4RPG - 0.8APG

DALLAS MAVERICKS AND NEW YORK KNICKS

When Blackwater announced the signing of Ricky Ledo, it generated some excitement. With three seasons of NBA experience under his belt—having played for the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks—expectations were high. However, his time with Blackwater was nothing short of a disaster. Once seen as a blue-chip import, Ledo was sent packing after just two disappointing games, failing to make any meaningful impact. His exit came right after a blowout loss to NLEX, where he completely crumbled under the spotlight. It’s one thing for an import to finish his stint averaging single digits, but for a former NBA player, it was downright embarrassing. His inefficiency, poor shooting, and inability to elevate the team sealed his fate, making his tenure one of the most forgettable in recent memory. The only silver lining? After Ledo’s departure, Blackwater brought in George King, who provided the team with the stability they desperately needed.

PBA / SPIN.PH

2 | RAYVONTE RICE | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS

2024-25 PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

2 GAMES | 10.5PPG - 4.5RPG - 2.0APG - 1.0SPG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 0 - 2

Magnolia had high hopes for a deep playoff run with Shabazz Muhammad leading the charge, but an untimely injury forced them to find a replacement. Enter Rayvonte Rice, who suited up for the Hotshots in their final elimination game and their quarterfinal matchup against Rain or Shine. Unfortunately, Rice’s performance left much to be desired. His debut against Converge was downright brutal—just 5 points on 2-of-14 shooting, with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. It wasn’t just the numbers that were alarming; his presence on the floor barely made an impact, and Magnolia quickly realized he wasn’t the answer to their import troubles. After just two forgettable games, the Hotshots pulled the plug, replacing Rice with Jabari Bird in hopes of salvaging their campaign.

PBA / TIEBREAKER TIMES

1 | RYAN RICHARDS | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

2024-25 PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP

3 GAMES | 5.3PPG - 5.7RPG - 0.8APG

WIN/LOSS RECORD | 0 - 3

2010 NBA DRAFT | ROUND 2 | PICK 49 | SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Ryan Richards was, without a doubt, the worst import of the season. His numbers were abysmal—averaging just 5.33 points and 5.67 rebounds per game, he barely made an impact in any way. What’s worse, Terrafirma inexplicably kept him around for three games despite his glaring struggles. Richards was painfully slow, completely out of sync with the system the team was trying to run, and provided zero defensive presence—not a single steal or block in his short-lived stint. His inability to adjust to the PBA’s fast-paced, high-intensity game led to his inevitable exit, but not before frustrating his own teammates. In fact, the squad—already seen as one of the weakest rosters in the league—reportedly told the coaching staff that Richards wasn’t even at their level, at least in terms of what’s expected from an import. For a former San Antonio Spurs draft pick, his stint with Terrafirma was nothing short of a disaster, making him one of the biggest busts in recent PBA history.

CONSIDERED, BUT NOT REALLY.

There were a few imports who narrowly avoided making this list. Meralco’s DJ Kennedy was initially in consideration, but despite playing just one game, he dropped 32 points and led the Bolts to a win—hardly the mark of a bust. NorthPort’s Taylor Johns also played just once, and while the Batang Pier lost, his near-triple-double stat line of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists made it difficult to justify his inclusion. Magnolia’s Shabazz Muhammad was another close call, but his injury in his second game robbed him of a fair chance to prove himself, and he finished his stint with a fine line of 25.0ppg and 10.5rpg. His replacement, Rayvonte Rice, had the misfortune of being thrown straight into a high-stakes playoff series, making it tough to judge him purely on his two-game stint. Meanwhile, despite finishing with a 2-2 record, Jabari Bird gave the Hotshots a fighting chance at making the semifinals, sending the series to a Game 5 before the team lost to Rain or Shine. Lastly, San Miguel’s Torren Jones gets a pass because, of all the Beermen’s four import experiments in the Commissioner’s Cup, he was the one who should have stayed—averaging 26.5 points and 13.5 rebounds while holding his own alongside June Mar Fajardo in two wins.

In the PBA, imports are expected to be game-changers, but for the ten players on this list, that expectation fell flat. Some put up decent individual numbers, but at the end of the day, wins are the only currency that truly matters. Whether due to poor fit, inefficiency, or simply being outmatched, these imports failed to deliver when their teams needed them most.