The 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup opened with a flourish as debuting teams and players made their mark on the hardcourt. Hong Kong Eastern and Jordan Heading, suiting up for Converge FiberXers, impressed in their maiden outings, signaling the rise of fresh contenders in the league.
Converge Dominates in Heading’s Debut
Jordan Heading’s much-anticipated PBA debut lived up to the hype as he helped power Converge FiberXers to a commanding 116-87 victory over Terrafirma Dyip. The 28-year-old guard showcased his versatility, contributing 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in 24 minutes off the bench.
Heading’s seamless integration into Converge’s system drew praise from head coach Charles Atienza, who lauded the rookie’s impact and potential:
I think he really played well. He’s slowly understanding what we want to do on both ends of the floor. I think for [a] first game, he exceeded our expectations.
— Coach Charles Atienza on Jordan Heading’s debut
Import Cheick Diallo led Converge’s charge with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Justin Arana added a double-double of his own. The FiberXers’ dominance was evident in their 36-18 advantage in points in the paint and stellar shooting from beyond the arc.
Terrafirma’s Struggles Continue
On the other hand, Terrafirma failed to get their Commissioner’s Cup campaign off the ground, hampered by import Ryan Richards’ inefficiency. Richards managed just 10 points on 31.3% shooting, while top draft pick Mark Nonoy struggled in his PBA debut with 11 points on 22.2% field goal percentage.
Hong Kong Eastern Impresses in PBA Debut
In the second game, Hong Kong Eastern announced their arrival in the PBA with a 102-87 dismantling of Phoenix Fuel Masters. The guest team, featuring a mix of homegrown and imported talent, pulled away in the second half behind the stellar play of Cameron Clark and Hayden Blankley.
Clark and Blankley, who previously suited up for Bay Area Dragons in the PBA, combined for 43 points to pace Eastern. Local standout Glen Yang filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing the team’s depth and cohesion.
Growing Pains and Potential
Despite the promising start, Eastern head coach Mensur Bajramovic acknowledged that the team is still a work in progress as they navigate the challenges of playing in multiple leagues:
My biggest concern is we haven’t played enough games together. In some moments, we missed our timing on defensive situations. But I hope we get better in each game we play.
— Coach Mensur Bajramovic on Hong Kong Eastern’s development
Blankley, who played a key role in Bay Area’s success last season, noted the differences between his former and current squads:
It’s a very different team. That Bay Area team was blessed with some mainland Chinese players that were 6-foot-6 players and above. And this team, not so much, it’s much more comparable to the height of Filipino players. Filipino teams can definitely challenge us without worrying about us just being bigger.
— Hayden Blankley comparing Hong Kong Eastern to Bay Area Dragons
Phoenix’s Recurring Issues
For Phoenix, the loss exposed familiar problems as import Donovan Smith and Jason Perkins shouldered the bulk of the scoring load. Ricci Rivero was the only other local in double figures with 10 points, underscoring the need for more balanced production from the supporting cast.
A Glimpse of the Future
The opening games of the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup provided a tantalizing preview of the tournament’s potential, with debuting teams and players making an immediate impact. As Hong Kong Eastern and Jordan Heading look to build on their promising starts, the rest of the field will undoubtedly be taking notice and gearing up for the challenges ahead.
With a mix of familiar faces in new places and intriguing newcomers, the Commissioner’s Cup promises to be a hotly contested affair. As the action unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling performances, intense rivalries, and the emergence of rising stars eager to make their mark on the PBA stage.
With a mix of familiar faces in new places and intriguing newcomers, the Commissioner’s Cup promises to be a hotly contested affair. As the action unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling performances, intense rivalries, and the emergence of rising stars eager to make their mark on the PBA stage.
