Powcast Ranking the Best Import 50th Season of the Commisioners Cup

Powcast Import Rankings: Best Reinforcements in the Commissioner’s Cup — Where Does Bol Bol Land?

This Commissioner’s Cup import crop is an absolute goldmine for serious hoops content, featuring a fascinating mix of established PBA royalty, high-ceiling NBA unicorns, and gritty international journeymen trying to prove themselves on one of Asia’s toughest basketball stages.

Breaking down this list requires looking beyond raw statistics. The key question is always the same: how well will their skills translate to the highly physical, fast-paced, guard-heavy style of Philippine basketball?

Here is the Powcast Import Rankings, counting down the imports entering the conference based purely on pedigree, résumé, and on-paper dominance.


Sam Deguara Photo courtesy of EASL
Sam Deguara Photo courtesy of EASL

14. Sam Deguara (7'6)

Macau Black Bears

At 7-foot-6, Sam Deguara easily holds the distinction of being the tallest import in the conference.

The Maltese center’s massive size naturally makes him an intimidating presence in the paint and a potential rim deterrent. However, the modern PBA game is extremely fast and heavily reliant on pick-and-roll action and guard play.

Deguara’s biggest challenge will be mobility. While his size alone can affect shots around the basket, defending quicker players in transition and high screens could become difficult. If his team can slow the tempo and maximize his size advantage, Deguara could still carve out an impactful role.

Michael Gilmore

13. Michael Gilmore (6'10)

Titan Ultra Giant Risers

Michael Gilmore, the nephew of Hall of Fame center Artis Gilmore, brings solid international experience into the conference.

The 6-foot-10 forward has played across Europe and Asia, developing a reputation as a mobile stretch forward capable of knocking down perimeter shots. His ability to move fluidly for his size and space the floor gives his team offensive versatility.

However, compared to some of the more dominant interior imports in this conference, Gilmore may face challenges battling inside against stronger rebounders and shot blockers.

Mubashar Ali
Mubashar Ali photo courtesy of basket.fi

12. Mubashar Ali (7'0)

Terrafirma Dyip

Mubashar Ali enters the conference as one of the biggest question marks among the imports.

The Finnish center finished his collegiate career at Florida Memorial University before taking his talents to Europe, where he has shown flashes of impressive scoring and rebounding production.

Ali’s ability to stretch the floor and shoot from outside gives him a modern big-man skill set. But the physical and relentless nature of the PBA will present a completely different challenge.

11. Tony Mitchell (6'7)

Macau Black Bears

Tony Mitchell was selected 37th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, once gaining attention for his explosive athleticism and highlight-reel dunks.

Throughout his international career, Mitchell has built a reputation as an aggressive scorer capable of putting up big numbers in multiple leagues.

Now in the later stage of his career, Mitchell relies more on experience, craftiness, and offensive instincts rather than pure athleticism.

10. Jaylen Johnson (6'9)

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Jaylen Johnson, a former Louisville standout, has built a steady professional career through the NBA G-League and international leagues in Europe and the Middle East.

Johnson is an athletic forward who thrives in transition and can defend multiple positions. While his scoring numbers overseas have been solid rather than spectacular, his versatility could be valuable in the PBA.

Rain or Shine’s system emphasizes effort, ball movement, and energy, and Johnson’s adaptable skill set could fit perfectly with Coach Yeng Guiao’s style.

LA Tenorio and Terrel Brown-Soares, Photo courtesy of Magnolia Hotshots

9. Terrell Brown-Soares (6'9)

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots

Terrell Brown-Soares is an intriguing two-way forward who played college basketball at Pittsburgh and San Diego before building his career overseas.

Known for his defensive presence, Brown-Soares has developed into a capable rim protector while also showing the ability to stretch the floor offensively.

That combination of defense and perimeter shooting could make him a strong fit for Magnolia’s defense-first philosophy.

8. Daniel Ochefu (6'11)

Blackwater Bossing

Daniel Ochefu brings championship pedigree to Blackwater. The 6-foot-11 center played a key role for Villanova during their 2016 NCAA championship run.

Ochefu later spent time in the NBA with the Washington Wizards before continuing his career internationally.

His game is built around physicality, rebounding, and interior defense. While he may not dominate the highlight reels, his toughness and fundamentals make him a dependable presence in the paint.

James Dickey Photo courtesy of Proballers.com

7. James Dickey III (6'10)

Phoenix Fuel Masters

James Dickey III earned a reputation as one of the most dominant rebounders during his college career at UNC Greensboro, where he was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Since turning professional, Dickey has continued to produce strong rebounding numbers across various international leagues.

For Phoenix, Dickey brings reliability. His ability to control the glass and finish efficiently around the rim could translate into consistent double-double performances throughout the conference.

6. Kylor Kelley (7'0)

Converge FiberXers

Kylor Kelley arrives in the PBA with a strong defensive résumé.

The former Oregon State standout became one of the most prolific shot blockers in school history and later earned opportunities with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans organizations.

Kelley’s elite rim protection, timing, and mobility make him a valuable defensive anchor. While his offensive game is mostly limited to finishing around the basket, his defensive presence could instantly elevate Converge’s interior defense.

5. Marcus Lee (6'11)

San Miguel Beermen

The former University of Kentucky big man  has built a respectable professional career overseas while maintaining his reputation as an athletic rim runner and shot blocker.

Lee thrives as a high-efficiency finisher, offensive rebounder, and defensive presence around the basket. Pairing him with June Mar Fajardo creates a formidable frontcourt combination that could give opposing teams serious problems inside.

Cady Kakanne , Photo Courtesy of FIBA

4. Cady Lalanne (6'10)

NLEX Road Warriors

Cady Lalanne brings significant international experience to the Road Warriors.

Selected 55th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Lalanne has since built a strong professional résumé across Asia and the Middle East.

A consistent double-double threat, Lalanne combines size, rebounding ability, and a surprisingly smooth shooting touch for a big man.

Photo Courtesy of FIBA

3. Ismael Romero (6'9)

Meralco Bolts

Ismael Romero is one of the most accomplished international players entering the conference.

The Puerto Rican national team standout has competed in top leagues around the world and established himself as a rugged interior scorer and elite rebounder.

Romero’s physical playing style makes him an ideal fit for the PBA’s demanding environment.

2. Bol Bol (7'3)

TNT Tropang 5G

Few imports entering the PBA have generated as much intrigue as Bol Bol.

The 7-foot-3 NBA veteran, who has played for Denver, Orlando, and Phoenix, possesses a rare combination of size and skill. During the 2022-23 NBA season with Orlando, he averaged over 9 points, nearly 6 rebounds, and more than a block per game while displaying guard-like ball-handling ability.

Bol can run the floor, shoot from deep, and protect the rim—all at a height rarely seen in the PBA.

If he adjusts quickly to the physicality and pace of the league, Bol Bol has the potential to become one of the most dominant imports the PBA has seen in years.

Image courtesy of PBA Media Bureau

1. Justin Brownlee (6'6)

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

No import in the conference carries the résumé, chemistry, and championship pedigree of Justin Brownlee.

The long-time Ginebra reinforcement is widely regarded as one of the greatest imports in PBA history, having led the Gin Kings to multiple championships while consistently delivering in the biggest moments.

Brownlee’s all-around brilliance—scoring, rebounding, defending, and playmaking—makes him the ultimate system player in Coach Tim Cone’s triangle offense.

Simply put, Justin Brownlee is no longer just an import. He is already a legend in Philippine basketball.

And until someone proves otherwise in a championship series, the throne still belongs to him.