When you sit courtside and watch the PBA for as long as I have, you start to appreciate how hard it is to find the right import.
It’s not just about finding a guy who can score 40 points. It’s about finding a guy who fits. A guy who can carry a team without breaking the locker room.
The 2026 Commissioner's Cup gave us a little bit of everything. We saw steady veterans, incredible surprises, and one absolute unicorn.
As the tournament winds down, I decided to sit back and rank the top five imports of the conference. It’s based on the eye test, the numbers, and what they meant to their franchises.
Here is how I see it.
5. Clint Chapman, Magnolia
Let's start with Chapman.
When he arrived, Magnolia looked like a team that was stuck in the mud. They were going the wrong way. Chapman stepped off the plane and completely reversed the course of their season. He steadied the ship. He gave them an anchor inside.
He helped them catch up to the rest of the pack and sneak into the playoffs. Unfortunately, the math caught up with them. Surviving a twice-to-beat disadvantage against a disciplined team like Meralco is just too much to ask.
But Chapman did his job. He saved their conference from being a total disaster.
4. Cady Lalanne, NLEX
You want to know why NLEX finished the elimination round as the number one overall seed? Look no further than Cady Lalanne.
His numbers are the kind you frame and put on the wall. He gave the Road Warriors 26.8 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks every single night.
He didn't just put up empty stats. He commanded the paint. He made Robert Bolick and Deschon Winston's lives so much easier because defenses had to respect his size. He was the workhorse of the elimination round.
3. Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra
What else can we even write about this guy?
I look at Justin Brownlee, I look at the mileage on his legs, and I just shake my head. It is really incredible that he is still carrying Barangay Ginebra deep into these playoffs.
He isn't the youngest guy in the gym anymore. He isn't the most explosive. But he is the smartest. He knows exactly where to be. He knows exactly when Tim Cone needs him to take over, and when to let RJ Abarrientos run the show.
Never bet against Brownlee. It’s just a bad idea.
2. Jaylen Johnson, Rain or Shine
Rain or Shine plays a very specific brand of basketball. Coach Yeng Guiao demands ball movement. He hates isolation plays.
So, finding an import who fits that system is tricky. But Jaylen Johnson is incredible.
Look at the production: 24.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and the number that jumps off the page—5.4 assists per game.
He doesn't stop the ball. He keeps the offense humming. He is the perfect piece for a team that wants to play "Spurs basketball" in the PBA. He bought into the culture from day one.
1. Bol Bol, TNT
I know how the story ended. I know about the heartbreaking Achilles injury.
But this ranking is about who was the best performing import when they were on the floor. And in my eyes, there is no debate.
No matter which team ends up holding the championship trophy at the end of this tournament, Bol Bol was the best import of the Commissioner's Cup.
We have never seen anything like him in this league. A 7-foot-3 giant who handles the ball like a point guard, shoots over double teams, and erases mistakes at the rim. When he finally bought into Chot Reyes' system and started passing the ball, TNT looked completely unbeatable.
He was the biggest story of the year. He was the most dominant force. He is my number one.
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