The PBA Commissioner’s Cup is just around the corner, and the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. With the "unlimited height" rule for imports—including the arrival of a literal NBA "unicorn" in TNT's Bol Bol—the local stars are about to be tested like never before.
As we look toward the opening tip-off on March 11, 2026, here are the 10 players I am most excited to watch.
10. Greg Slaughter (Unsigned)
It is genuinely baffling to see a 7-foot center like Greg-Zilla without a team as we enter a conference dominated by giants. With teams facing imports like the 7-foot-3 Bol Bol, having a local who can match that length is a tactical necessity. Whether it's a return to Phoenix (where he's been spotted practicing) or a late-signing elsewhere, Slaughter remains the biggest "wildcard" on the market.
9. June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel Beermen)
"The Kraken" just secured another Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award, but his biggest challenge lies ahead. How will the league’s most dominant local big man adjust when he isn't the tallest person on the floor? Seeing June Mar use his elite footwork against 7-foot-plus world-class imports will be a masterclass in basketball IQ.
8. Will Gozum (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
Phoenix made a massive gamble by trading their #2 pick (which became Juan Gomez de Liaño) to secure the rights to Will Gozum. Now reunited with his college coach, Charles Tiu, the former NCAA MVP has to prove he can translate his "Benilde" dominance to the pro level. If he's legit, Phoenix's rebuild just accelerated by three years.
7. Mark Omega (Titan Ultra Giant Risers)
Mark Omega was a bruising presence for the FiberXers, and his move to Titan Ultra in the Calvin Abueva blockbuster trade is one of the more underrated storylines. As a former Letran Knight, he brings that "Arriba" grit to a young Titan squad. Can he move from a "bench enforcer" to a legitimate starting-caliber big man?
6. Juan Gomez de Liaño (Converge FiberXers)
The reigning "Triple-Double Machine" of the Philippine Cup is entering a new era. With Mikey Williams reportedly joining the backcourt and 7-foot Kylor Kelley anchoring the paint, Juan GDL won't have to do everything. The question is: can he maintain his stellar 19.0 PPG and 6.7 APG while sharing the spotlight with a Finals MVP?
5. Francis Escandor (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
Rumors are swirling that Glenn Escandor (Francis’ father) has taken over the reins of the Phoenix franchise. While he struggled to break the rotation at Rain or Shine, Escandor now has a fresh start and a potential "favored" status. This is his chance to silence the critics and prove he can be a "main man" in the PBA.
4. Jason Brickman (San Antonio Spurs? / PBA Draft)
Jason Brickman is a legend in the international circuit and the ABL, but the PBA is a different beast. As the all-time US NCAA assist leader, his floor generalship is unquestioned. Fans are dying to see if his "pass-first" wizardry can dismantle PBA defenses the same way he did in the Jones Cup and the T1 League.
3. Calvin Abueva (Converge FiberXers)
"The Beast" is back home in Pampanga under the guidance of Coach Delta Pineda. Coming off a resurgent conference where he averaged a massive double-double (23.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG), Abueva is now the veteran heart of a loaded Converge team. Watching him bring that chaotic energy to a lineup that includes Baltazar and Arana will be pure theater.
2. Deschon Winston (NLEX Road Warriors)
NLEX may have found the perfect "Big 2" partner for Robert Bolick. Schonny Winston is a mid-range assassin with an elite defensive motor. If he and Bolick can build chemistry quickly, they will form the most dangerous local backcourt in the league. Winston has "Franchise Player" written all over him.
1. Mikey Williams (Converge FiberXers)
This is the move that changes everything. If the reports are true and the two-time Finals MVP is finally suiting up for Converge, the FiberXers move from "contender" to "favorite." Mikey is the ultimate "closer"—a player who can win a game in a three-minute scoring burst. His presence makes everyone around him more dangerous.
Related Article: PBA Power Ranking of Imports: Ginebra legend is #1?
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