Macau Black Bears lean on size and familiarity with Sam Deguara, Tony Mitchell for PBA guest stint 

Experience and familiarity—two qualities often overlooked in import recruitment—are shaping the approach of the Macau Black Bears as they prepare for their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.

Rather than gambling on unknown reinforcements, the guest team is turning to two names already recognizable to Filipino basketball followers: Sam Deguara and Tony Mitchell.

Sources bared that the Macau management has already notified the league of its decision to bring in the duo for the midseason conference set to open on March 11.

The move signals a calculated blend of extreme size and proven exposure to the Philippine style of play.

Deguara, a 7-foot-6 center from Malta, is expected to become the tallest import ever to suit up in the league, surpassing previous height benchmarks while giving the Black Bears an imposing interior anchor. The veteran big man has made rounds across Asian tournaments and most recently suited up for the Zamboanga Valientes in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

His arrival also places him above incoming TNT reinforcement Bol Bol and former Kia import PJ Ramos—both listed at 7-foot-3—highlighting just how rare Deguara’s size is even among global imports.

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As expected, the Macau Black Bears are gonna be reinforced by resident imports 7’6 Sam Deguara and 6’7 Tony Mitchell for the PBA Comm’s Cup. Macau initially planned on bringing in NBA great Dwight Howard but scheduling conflicts prevented it from happening.

( @EASLofficial) pic.twitter.com/7oM7NrbUf4

— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) February 19, 2026

While Deguara brings unmatched length, Mitchell adds familiarity and versatility.

Now 33, Mitchell previously played in the PBA with Purefoods and NLEX and was once a first-round selection of the Detroit Pistons in the 2013 NBA Draft. His ability to score from multiple positions and adjust quickly to league physicality gives Macau a steady offensive option.

The pair also shares built-in chemistry, having already played together for the Black Bears in the East Asia Super League Home and Away Season 3, where Macau competed in Group B.

Macau’s decision to bring back familiar pieces also reflects the strategic demands of the Commissioner’s Cup format, where teams must carefully manage their import rotations due to strict injury replacement rules. Should an original import be moved to the injury/reserved list, reactivation restrictions limit roster flexibility later in the conference.

For the Black Bears, the approach is clear: minimize adjustment time, maximize physical advantage, and rely on players who already understand both the system and the intensity of Philippine basketball.

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