PBA Power Ranking of Imports: Ginebra legend is #1?

The 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup, scheduled to commence on March 11, 2026, represents a pivotal moment in the league's history. As the centerpiece of the league's landmark 50th season, this conference has abandoned height restrictions for foreign reinforcements, catalyzing a strategic shift toward elite global talent and specialized interior dominance. The landscape of the competition is further altered by the introduction of the Macau Black Bears as a guest team and the debut of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers—a franchise formerly known as NorthPort Batang Pier, acquired by Pureblends Corporation in late 2025. This analysis provides an exhaustive review of the confirmed imports, their recent statistical profiles, and a hierarchical ranking of their projected impact on their respective franchises.

The Paradigm Shift: Unlimited Height and the Season 50 Context

The removal of the height limit is the defining technical characteristic of this conference. Historically, the Commissioner’s Cup has fluctuated between height caps of 6'10" and 6'11", but the 2026 edition allows teams to recruit players of any stature, leading to the recruitment of several seven-footers. This policy change coincides with a broader restructuring of the league's calendar, which reverted to the traditional three-conference order—Philippine Cup, Commissioner's Cup, and Governors' Cup—for the first time since the 2022–23 season.

The timing of this conference is significant as it follows a Philippine Cup dominated by the San Miguel Beermen. With the league moving into its "Golden Season," teams have sought reinforcements that not only provide size but also bridge the gap between traditional post play and modern "positionless" basketball. The conference also serves as a critical scouting ground for the East Asia Super League (EASL) and various international windows, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Comprehensive Statistical Profiling of Confirmed Imports

The following data summarizes the most recent professional statistical outputs for the imports confirmed for the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup. These figures represent averages from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons in leagues ranging from the NBA and G League to the Australian NBL and Georgian Super Liga.

Comparative Performance Metrics (2024–2026)

Player	Team	Height	Last League	PPG	RPG	BPG	APG
Bol Bol	TNT	7'3"	NBA	9.1	5.9	1.2	1.0
Ismael Romero	Meralco	6'9"	EASL	22.3	16.0	1.2	2.3
Samuel Deguara	Macau	7'6"	EASL	12.6	8.2	1.4	1.0
Kylor Kelley	Converge	7'0"	G League	8.0	7.2	2.1	1.6
Marcus Lee	San Miguel	6'11"	NBL	6.8	5.5	1.1	1.2
Mubashar Ali	Terrafirma	7'1"	Georgia	14.5	9.7	1.7	2.3
James Dickey	Phoenix	6'10"	IBL / BCL	13.8	11.3	1.2	2.3
Justin Brownlee	Ginebra	6'6"	PBA / EASL	23.7	11.0	1.2	6.0
Terrell Brown-Soares	Magnolia	6'9"	Poland	9.5	6.9	1.7	0.6
Michael Gilmore	Titan	6'10"	China NBL	8.7	6.0	0.1	1.6
Daniel Ochefu	Blackwater	6'11"	EASL / G League	14.0	8.0	1.5	1.8
Jaylen Johnson	ROS	6'9"	KBL	3.7	2.9	0.3	0.6
Tony Mitchell	Macau	6'8"	Taiwan TPBL	14.7	9.5	1.4	1.6

Shooting Efficiency and Perimeter Threat Evaluation

In the modern PBA, an import's ability to stretch the floor or hit high-percentage shots in the paint is critical for offensive spacing, particularly when paired with high-volume local scorers like Robert Bolick or June Mar Fajardo.

Player	League	FG%	3P%	FT%
Mubashar Ali	Georgia	44.0%	38.1%	68.4%
Terrell Brown-Soares	Poland	47.1%	41.5%	95.7%
Kylor Kelley	G League	67.9%	0.0%	54.1%
Ismael Romero	EASL	58.0%	25.0%	80.0%
Marcus Lee	NBL	65.0%	0.0%	50.0%
Michael Gilmore	China NBL	42.9%	41.2%	80.0%
Bol Bol	NBA	54.0%	32.0%	75.0%

The technical data reveals a significant divergence in import profiles. Players like Mubashar Ali and Terrell Brown-Soares offer elite floor-spacing potential for their size, while Kylor Kelley and Marcus Lee represent the pinnacle of interior efficiency and rim-running.

Ranking by Expected Impact and Strategic Utility

The following ranking evaluates each import based on their projected ability to transform their franchise's win-loss trajectory, their fit within the existing local roster, and their comparative advantage in a height-unlimited conference.

1. Bol Bol (TNT Tropang 5G)

Bol Bol is arguably the most significant signing in the history of the PBA Commissioner's Cup, categorized by analysts as a "human cheat code". Standing at 7'3" with the ball-handling and shooting skills of a guard, his presence forces an immediate recalibration of every defensive scheme in the league.

The Tropang 5G’s strategic need for Bol Bol arose from the Achilles injury to resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. By replacing a 6'6" defensive forward with a 7'3" shot-blocking unicorn, TNT has effectively shifted the league's center of gravity. Bol Bol’s impact is expected to be systemic: his 1.2 blocks per game in the NBA (achieved in limited minutes) suggests he will anchor a defense that allows TNT’s perimeter defenders to gamble more aggressively on steals. Offensively, his 32% shooting from the arc will drag opposing centers away from the paint, creating massive driving lanes for Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy. His arrival is the primary catalyst for other teams, such as San Miguel and Terrafirma, prioritizing length in their own recruitment.

2. Justin Brownlee (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel)

Despite being the shortest import in the conference at 6'6" (listed at 6'7" in some official documents), Justin Brownlee remains the league’s gold standard for impact. As a naturalized Filipino and a six-time champion, Brownlee’s impact is rooted in unparalleled chemistry with Tim Cone’s system and his proficiency in the PBA endgame.

The strategic gamble Ginebra is taking by not recruiting a seven-footer is a testament to Brownlee’s gravity. While he may face defensive mismatches against Bol Bol or Samuel Deguara, Brownlee’s ability to facilitate (averaging 6.0 assists in the EASL) and his 23.7 PPG in Season 49 prove he can exploit slower giants on the perimeter. His impact ranking remains high because he is the only import capable of single-handedly Willing a team to a championship through sheer tactical IQ and shot-making under pressure.

3. Ismael Romero (Meralco Bolts)

Ismael Romero enters the Commissioner’s Cup as the most statistically dominant regional big man. His performance for the Bolts in the East Asia Super League was historic, including a league-record 28-rebound game against the Macau Black Bears. Romero’s impact is projected to be highest in the department of interior toughness and secondary transition.

Meralco has historically struggled against the size of San Miguel and Ginebra. Romero, standing at 6'9" with an elite motor, provides a solution to this deficit. Averaging $22.3$ points and $16.0$ rebounds in the 2025–26 EASL season, Romero provides the "double-double" stability that Meralco needs to complement the perimeter brilliance of Chris Newsome. His familiarity with the Meralco coaching staff and local players gives him a "zero-acclimation" advantage over other new arrivals.

4. Marcus Lee (San Miguel Beermen)

The San Miguel Beermen have opted for a specialized defensive anchor in 6'11" Marcus Lee. Lee’s primary strategic objective is to neutralize the league's new giants while allowing June Mar Fajardo to operate without the burden of primary rim protection.

Lee is a "glue guy" whose impact is measured in vertical spacing and defensive rotations rather than high-volume scoring. His 1.1 blocks and 5.5 rebounds in the NBL with Cairns Taipans reflect a player who thrives in a role-defined environment. With a 7'3" wingspan and elite mobility, Lee is designed to be the "Bol Bol stopper" or at least a significant deterrent. His championship experience in the Australian NBL with Tasmania suggests he can manage the high-stakes environment of a Beermen franchise chasing a Season 50 grand slam.

5. Kylor Kelley (Converge FiberXers)

Kylor Kelley is a tactical masterstroke for a Converge team looking to establish a defensive identity. As a 7'0" center with a G League All-Defensive Team pedigree, Kelley provides the FiberXers with the league’s most efficient shot-blocker.

Converge’s "mayhem" system under Aldin Ayo requires a rim protector who can clean up mistakes at the basket. Kelley’s 2.1 blocks per game in the G League and his 67.9% field goal percentage make him the ideal low-usage, high-impact reinforcement. He will not demand shots away from Justin Arana, but he will significantly improve the team’s defensive rating, which was a point of failure in previous conferences.

6. Cady Lalanne (NLEX Road Warriors)

Cady Lalanne brings NBA-caliber length and extensive Asian experience to NLEX. As a 6'10" stretch-big, he is expected to form a lethal pick-and-pop partnership with Robert Bolick.

Lalanne’s impact is centered on his ability to modernize the NLEX offense. By drawing opposing centers like Daniel Ochefu or Samuel Deguara out of the paint, he creates driving lanes for Bolick and NLEX’s athletic wings. His recent EASL performance—18 points and 5 rebounds against Ryukyu—indicates he is still a high-level offensive threat in the region.

7. Daniel Ochefu (Blackwater Bossing)

Daniel Ochefu returns to the PBA as a veteran anchor for a Blackwater team that finished the Philippine Cup with a dismal 1–10 record. Ochefu’s impact is calculated as a stabilizing force for a franchise in desperate need of interior consistency.

Standing at 6'11" and weighing 245 lbs, Ochefu is a physical presence who can match the strength of the league's traditional centers. His 14 points and 8 rebounds in the G League, combined with his NCAA championship experience at Villanova, provide Blackwater with a "pro’s pro" reinforcement. He is expected to be the primary offensive option in the post while also serving as the defensive captain for Jeffrey Cariaso’s squad.

8. Samuel Deguara (Macau Black Bears)

As the tallest active professional basketball player at 7'6", Samuel Deguara offers a unique form of "defensive gravity". His impact on the guest team, Macau Black Bears, is centered on paint protection and offensive rebounding.

In the 2025–26 EASL season, Deguara averaged $12.6$ points and $8.2$ rebounds in just under 30 minutes of play. While he lacks the mobility to defend high-screen-and-roll systems effectively, his presence in a 2-3 zone makes driving into the paint almost impossible for most PBA locals. His 9 offensive rebounds in a single game against Busan KCC highlight the "second-chance" value he brings to any roster.

9. Terrell Brown-Soares (Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots)

The Magnolia Hotshots have undergone a generational shift, with LA Tenorio retiring from active play to become the head coach. Terrell Brown-Soares is Tenorio's first import choice, a 6'9" defensive specialist from the Polish Basket Liga.

Brown-Soares’ impact is projected to be defensive-heavy. Magnolia’s identity is built on grit and pressure; Brown-Soares’ 1.7 blocks and 6.9 rebounds in Poland suggest he can anchor Tenorio’s new defensive schemes. While he may not provide the 30-point scoring bursts of previous Magnolia imports, his $95.7\%$ free-throw shooting and $41.5\%$ three-point shooting make him a dangerous "stretch-five" who can neutralize the size advantage of taller opponents.

10. James Dickey (Phoenix Fuel Masters)

James Dickey provides the Phoenix Fuel Masters with an elite, high-motor athlete. Tapped by new coach Charles Tiu, Dickey is coming off a championship season in Indonesia where he averaged $13.8$ points and $11.3$ rebounds.

Dickey’s impact is centered on his athleticism and defensive versatility. Unlike the more traditional centers in the class, Dickey is capable of switching onto guards and protecting the rim in transition. His 2.4 steals per game in the BCL Asia-East show a level of defensive activity rarely seen in 6'10" imports. For a Phoenix team looking to build a fast-paced, modern identity, Dickey is a near-perfect fit.

11. Mubashar Ali (Terrafirma Dyip)

The Terrafirma Dyip have historically been a "bottom-dweller" franchise, but the signing of 7'1" Mubashar Ali indicates a serious attempt at a playoff push. Ali is a floor-spacing giant who shot 38.1% from the arc in Georgia.

Ali’s impact is offensive: he will drag the league's premier rim protectors out of the paint, allowing Terrafirma’s guards like Juami Tiongson and Dalph Panopio to operate with more space. While his defensive stats are modest (1.7 blocks), his ability to facilitate from the high post (2.3 assists) provides Terrafirma with a dynamic they have lacked since the departure of Christian Standhardinger.

12. Jaylen Johnson (Rain or Shine)

Rain or Shine and coach Yeng Guiao have prioritized mobility over raw size with the signing of 6'9" Jaylen Johnson. Johnson played alongside Kevin Quiambao in Korea, meaning he is already familiar with the Filipino style of play and physicality.

Johnson’s impact is centered on his motor. Guiao’s system requires imports who can run the floor and execute complex defensive rotations. Johnson’s per-48-minute stats in the KBL—21 points and 16 rebounds—indicate a high-activity player who will thrive in a high-possession environment. While he may struggle against the sheer mass of Ochefu or Deguara, his speed will be a major asset in Rain or Shine’s transition offense.

13. Michael Gilmore (Titan Ultra Giant Risers)

As the first import for the newly rebranded Titan Ultra Giant Risers, Michael Gilmore faces the highest degree of difficulty. A 6'10" Belgian international, Gilmore most recently played in the Chinese NBL, averaging $8.7$ points and $6.0$ rebounds.

Gilmore’s impact will be as a "stretch-four" who can provide spacing for the Risers' young core. His 41.2% three-point shooting is elite for his size, but his low block numbers (0.1 per game) suggest he may struggle as a primary rim protector in the Commissioner’s Cup. His success will depend on how quickly he can build chemistry with a roster that is effectively starting from scratch under new ownership.