Tony Mitchell feels ‘at home’ in PBA return despite Macau loss

For Tony Mitchell, stepping back onto a Philippine Basketball Association court felt less like a comeback and more like returning to familiar ground.

Mitchell made his latest PBA appearance with the Macau Black Knights in their debut outing in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. While the result didn’t go their way—a 102-94 loss to the Converge FiberXers at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium—the veteran forward still relished the chance to once again play in front of Filipino basketball fans.

Mitchell delivered a double-double performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Macau stay within striking distance for most of the contest before Converge seized control late in the fourth quarter.

A decisive 14-0 surge by the FiberXers, sparked by guard Alec Stockton, ultimately created the separation that sealed the win.

Still, the game carried deeper meaning for Mitchell beyond the numbers on the scoreboard.

“It was exciting, man. For me, the Philippines is home,” Mitchell said. “In reality, it really is home for me. I love the culture, I love the people.”

The former NBA forward has built a unique bond with the local basketball scene through the years, one that extends far beyond his time in the professional league.

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‘PHILIPPINES IS HOME’ – TONY MITCHELL

Macau Black Knights Import Tony Mitchell treated his return to the PBA as a homecoming, suiting up for the Black Knights in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup opener, where they absorbed a 102–94 loss to the Converge FiberXers pic.twitter.com/dXcF5btbGO

— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) March 12, 2026

“I have people here that I call family—from PBA, Tondo,” he added.

During his time away from the PBA, Mitchell remained a familiar presence in community leagues and regional tournaments across the country. He spent the past few years playing in various competitions, including the popular grassroots circuit known as Ligang Labas.

Those experiences, he said, helped strengthen his connection with the Philippines and its passionate basketball culture.

“Shoutout to everybody in the Ligang Labas.”

Now back on the PBA stage, Mitchell hopes to help the Black Knights carve out their place in a conference stacked with established franchises and towering imports.

“For me this is a lifetime experience and I’m just happy and glad to be back,” Mitchell said.

As Macau continues its first campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup, Mitchell and the Black Knights will try to translate that sense of belonging into their first win in the tournament.

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