Basketball
Magnolia pulls plug on Nuni Omot, taps Clint Chapman
Magnolia has let go of Nuni Omot in what appears to be a desperate attempt to stop itself from spiraling further in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Winless after three games into the midseason tourney, the Hotshots deemed it best that a change of import could be a way to address their struggles, having brought in Clint Chapman to take the place of the former Olympian.
The move comes after no less than head coach LA Tenorio said that the problem “is not all about the import” on the heels of their 97-91 loss to Robert Upshaw III and Blackwater just last Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Judging from that game alone, Omot himself showed that he’s hardly the issue, finishing with 38 points behind an efficient 15-of-22 shooting from the field, on top of seven rebounds and nine assists albeit against six turnovers.
It was, in fact, his best performance since coming into the league, and his job appeared secured after what Tenorio told members of the press.
That, however, would prove to be his last game with Magnolia, as the coaches and management decided to part ways with the South Sudanese star.
Now, they’re all set to turn over a new page into what’s been a horrendous campaign, hoping to author a better story ahead with Chapman, who’s coming off a stint with CS Antonine in the paused Lebanese Basketball League.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and could play inside and outside as well, the former Texas Longhorn has been playing professionally since 2012, and has had stints in Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, Germany, Italy, and parts of West Asia.
The Medford, Oregon native has actually been playing in the said region since 2022, and has spent about three seasons competing in the prestigious FIBA West Asia Super League with clubs from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Now, Chapman is set to play in East Asia for the first time in eight years, or since he suited up for the Toyama Grouses of the B.League in 2018.
Chapman arrived in the Philippines and has already shown up in Magnolia’s practice on Tuesday, Tiebreaker Times learned.
With this, he’s expected to make his PBA debut this Saturday. March 28, when the Hotshots take on the winless Macau at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The post Magnolia pulls plug on Nuni Omot, taps Clint Chapman appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Basketball
Days are numbered? Chot Reyes hints at TNT import change
It’s becoming too obvious that Darius Days’ stint with TNT is coming to an end.
Coach Chot Reyes himself revealed that he and his staff will decide on their import situation ‘pretty soon’ after the former LSU Tiger submitted another underwhelming outing in their eventual win over Converge on Tuesday.
“To be very honest, we have to make a decision on that pretty soon,” said the straightforward mentor after their 110-107 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which laid their two-game skid to rest in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Since posting back-to-back 20-point showings in their first two games of the tilt against Macau and Titan Ultra, Days’ scoring dropped significantly. He scored just 10 points in their next pair of outings, including versus the FiberXers.
Taking into account their previous meeting against Terrafirma, the 26-year-old forward has shot a combined 7-of-3 from the floor. And his woeful shooting has negatively impacted the defending conference champions, Reyes admitted.
It doesn’t help, either, that he has seemingly already booked his next destination.
(C) Illawarra Hawks
Just hours before TNT’s matchup with Converge, the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League announced on their official social media channels that they were bringing Days back for the 2026-27 season.
Still, he suited up and played against the FiberXers, although he was on the bench during the last two minutes of the tightly-contested bout. He wasn’t brought back until the last 9.1 seconds, when he was part of the five that closed it out.
Days even tried to help Rey Nambatac create some space by setting up a pick near center court, but the lefty guard opted not to use it, instead attacking Alec Stockton before rising for the game-winning trey to beat the buzzer.
Asked about switching imports, Reyes even joked with the press.
“Panalo kami, ba’t kami magpapalit?” he said with a smile
Turning serious, the champion bench tactician admitted that the team is indeed considering it, before adding that it’s no longer the same Days they signed up a couple of years ago for the same conference.
“That’s still up in the air. We’re definitely considering it. But Darius is not the Darius Days that we had a couple of years back. He’s completely out of shape, overweight, and I think it shows in his game,” he lamented.
“And obviously, it’s affecting the game of the locals.”
The post Days are numbered? Chot Reyes hints at TNT import change appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Basketball
TNT brings back Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, parts ways with Darius Days
TNT is bringing back another familiar face as it is moving on from Darius Days.
The Tropang 5G have welcomed Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson once more with the hope to stabilize its title defense bid in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times on Tuesday, after their 110-107 win over Converge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
This move puts an end to talks that the team would be changing reinforcements, as the former LSU Tiger had been ineffective, especially in their last two games.
Since posting back-to-back 20-point showings in their first two games of the tilt against Macau and Titan Ultra, Days’ scoring dropped significantly.
He scored a total of 20 points in their next two outings versus Terrafirma and the FiberXers, respectively, and shot a combined 7-of-30 from the floor.
(C) PBA Images
Speculations rose when the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s NBL announced on Tuesday as well that they’re trying to get Days back for the 2026-27 season.
Still, he played against Converge, and that proved to be his final game with the team. He finished with 10 points on a poor 4-of-19 clip from the floor.
Soon, the Tropa will be rolling with the older brother of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who first played for the franchise during the 2023-24 season.
Formerly one of their EASL imports as well, the 35-year-old Rahlir most recently played for the Joensuun Kataja Basket Club of the Korisliiga in Finland.
He’s expected to make his PBA comeback on Saturday, August 1, when they take on long-time rivals San Miguel Beer at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The post TNT brings back Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, parts ways with Darius Days appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Basketball
Migs Pascual’s birthday wish? More wins as Sarangani eyes MPBL play-in spot
Sarangani ACT10 may no longer be in the running for an outright playoff berth in the 2026 MPBL South Division, but the Marlins remain very much alive in the race for a play-in spot.
Leading the charge is team captain Migs Pascual, who has embraced the responsibility of setting the tone for the squad.
“As team captain, I know my job isn’t just to lead with my voice off the court but also through my performance on it,” the former Gilas Youth standout said.
“I have to set the standard every game and show my teammates that I’m ready to fight with them until the end.”
Pascual missed Sarangani’s July 14 matchup against Zamboanga, a 104-77 defeat that officially knocked the Marlins out of contention for an outright playoff berth.
Three days before his 25th birthday, the 6-foot guard returned to action and filled the stat sheet with six points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Despite his effort, Sarangani fell short against Basilan, 93-86.
(C) MPBL
Three days after celebrating his birthday, however, Pascual made sure the occasion ended on a high note. He erupted for 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, knocking down seven three-pointers while adding six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block and leading his side to a 113-92 victory over Manila.
It was his most complete performance of the season and the perfect way to cap off his birthday celebration.
“The best birthday gift I could ask for was a win. It’s always more fulfilling when the whole team gets to celebrate together because everyone’s sacrifices are rewarded,” he expressed.
The Marlins now sit at 4-16 with six games remaining in the elimination round.
Their focus has shifted to securing a play-in berth by winning as many of their remaining games as possible.
“My birthday wish is simple—to keep winning,” shared Pascual.
“If we take care of the games we have left, I believe we can still give ourselves a chance. That’s what we’re working for every day.”
The post Migs Pascual’s birthday wish? More wins as Sarangani eyes MPBL play-in spot appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
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