MANILA — The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to welcome another international entry after the Macau Black Bears formally confirmed their participation as a guest team in the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which opens on March 11.
The Black Bears’ entry was sealed following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between league officials and representatives of the Macau-based club during a ceremony held recently in Macau.
PBA Board vice chairman Alfrancis Chua and commissioner Willie Marcial attended the signing and met with team executives to finalize the arrangement.
The Black Bears become the third foreign guest team to compete in the Commissioner’s Cup, following the Bay Area Dragons in Season 47 and Hong Kong Eastern in Season 48, as the league continues to expand its regional reach.
Marcial said the same concessions previously extended to Bay Area and Hong Kong Eastern will likewise apply to the Macau franchise.
The Black Bears bring considerable international experience, having competed in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League and currently seeing action in the East Asia Super League and other Asian tournaments.
The Macau squad features guard Damian Chongqui, Omari Peek-Green, Phoenix Shackelford, and towering 7-foot-6 center Sam Deguara, with Garrett Kelly serving as head coach./PN
