There will only be a single import format with an infinite height for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The configuration has been completed in time for the mid-season conference to begin on November 27, according to Commissioner Willie Marcial. 

Prior to its official enlistment as the 13th team in the import-heavy meet, guest team Hong Kong Eastern was already informed of the agreement and is willing to abide by it.

Since the franchise is also participating in the East Asia Super League (EASL), where clubs are permitted to field two imports at a time, Hong Kong Eastern, the former team of Christian Standhardinger in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), is anticipated to bring along a number of imports.

However, Marcial stated that the PBA will only permit the Hong Kong-based club to have a single foreign player.
To be eligible for reactivation, the initial import choice may be substituted and placed on the injured/reserved list in accordance with PBA regulations.

Once replaced, the replacement import will not be allowed to return for the length of the conference.

According to Marcial, Hong Kong Eastern is considering a two-year guest stint in Asia’s inaugural professional league.

Similarly, Hong Kong Eastern will play its whole schedule domestically this year instead of in the former British colony.

Meanwhile, with the composure and passion of a champion, San Miguel defeated Converge, 109-105, to secure the final spot in the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup semifinals on Sunday. 

In a heated sudden-death Game Five at the Ynares Center, June Mar Fajardo was a man-mountain for the Beermen, scoring 40 points and grabbing 24 rebounds to help the squad overcome the FiberXers.

The best-of-seven semifinals between the Beermen and Barangay Ginebra Kings will now take place at the PhilSports Arena commencing on Wednesday.

PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon III said that Fajardo’s 40 points was a conference high and that his 40-20 performance was the third of his remarkable career.

In the final six minutes, San Miguel had to use every trick in the book to beat a FiberXers team that had dominated the game for the most part.

After an explosive 10-0 run by the Beermen, they took an eight-point lead, which Fajardo sealed with a layup underneath to put them ahead 101-99.

Alex Cabagnot’s game-winning three-pointer put the FiberXers ahead 102-101, but a string of blunders by Converge in the closing minutes allowed the Beermen to mount a little comeback and win the series 3-2. 

EJ Anosike, an import, scored 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. CJ Perez, another Beerman in double figures, finished with 10 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.

With 29 points and 17 rebounds, Jalen Jones led the way for Converge. Alec Stockton followed with 22 points, and Bryan Santos and Cabagnot chipped in with 16 and 14, respectively.

With a combined record of 12-of-21 from three-point range, Stockton, Santos, and Cabagnot helped the FiberXers establish the early pace of the game, leading by as many as 13.

The Scores

San Miguel 109 – Fajardo 40, Anosike 23, Perez 10, Rosales 9, Trollano 7, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 5, Romeo 3, Enciso 0.

Converge 105 – Jones 29, Stockton 22, Santos 16, Cabagnot 14, Winston 8, Arana 8, Delos Santos 4, Nieto 2, Caralipio 2, Ambohot 0.

Quarter scores: 22-34; 54-57; 89-87; 109-105.