SMB selects 6’11 Marcus Lee for Commissioner’s Cup

WITH 7-footers led by fancied Bol Bol of defending champion TNT in the field, San Miguel Beermen (SMB) opted for ceiling and length as well as it tapped 6-foot-11 Marcus Lee for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The reigning Philippine Cup champions have high expectations from Mr. Lee, who is fresh from his stint with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL in Australia.

“He’s a glue guy who can elevate our game,” SMB Team Manager Gee Abanilla told The STAR of the 31-year-old American who also has championship experience with the Tasmania JackJumpers during their golden run in the 2023-24 NBL season.

“We expect him to provide us with a defensive presence, good motor, especially on running the floor and (chasing) 50-50 balls, professionalism on and off the court, rebounding and toughness on the court,” he added.

Mr. Lee, who has a 7’3 wingspan and 35.5” max vertical leap, is expected to form a deadly twin tower combo with June Mar Fajardo as the Beermen deal with the giants in the mid-season conference that features no height restrictions for imports.

Leading the way is former NBA player Mr. Bol, the 7-foot-3 behemoth with guard skills spearheading the Tropang 5G’s title-retention drive.

Seven-foot defensive whiz Kylor Kelley reinforces souped-up Converge while seven-footer Mubashar Ali powers up Terrafirma and 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara beefs up guest team Macau Black Bears.

They join the early birds, 6-foot-11 Daniel Ochefu of Blackwater, 6-foot-10 Cady Lallane of NLEX, 6-foot-10 James Dickey of Phoenix, 6-foot-9 Ismael Romero of Meralco, 6-foot-9 Jaylen Johnson of Rain or Shine, 6-foot-9 Terrell Brown-Soares of Magnolia and Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, the shortest of the lot at 6-foot-6.

The Commissioner’s Cup fires off March 11. — Olmin Leyba