Macau coach clarifies the absence of Sam Deguara from Black Knights’ PBA roster

When the Macau Black Bears announced their entry into the PBA as a guest team, Filipino basketball fans immediately imagined one towering possibility — the arrival of 7-foot-6 center Sam Deguara.

The Maltese giant has become a familiar presence in Asian basketball over the years, and many expected him to anchor the team when it rebranded as the Macau Black Knights for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. But when the team finally unveiled its roster, Deguara’s name was nowhere to be found.

Macau head coach Garrett Kelly addressed the speculation during halftime of the Terrafirma-Titan matchup, explaining that Deguara’s absence had less to do with team plans and more with the realities of professional basketball.

“Sam’s been with us, we love Sam. He’s part of our family. He’s been with us for almost two years now, off and on. But, at the end of the day, professional basketball players are independent contractors. And they gotta go where their money is.” he said.

Instead of joining the Black Knights in the PBA, the towering center opted to continue his career in Taiwan, where he currently plays in the P.League+.

Kelly said the decision was one he fully understands, especially considering the short window most athletes have to maximize their careers.

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“Their career is a short span of their life. If you’re lucky, ten years. If you’re really lucky, more than ten years. But in reality, it’s as long as your body holds up. And Sam obviously has one of the largest bodies on earth for a basketball player. He keeps himself in phenomenal shape, and he’s a great teammate and a great person,” the Black Knights head coach said.

Still, the door remains open. Kelly revealed that he maintains regular communication with the Maltese center and would welcome him back should the opportunity arise during the conference.

“We wish him the best. I keep in touch with him. I talk to him once a week. If and when we have an opportunity for him, we’d love to have him back. So we’ll just have to wait and see,” said Kelly.

For now, Deguara continues to make an impact in Taiwan. Through his first three games in the P.League+, the 34-year-old big man is averaging 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists — numbers that highlight why he remains a sought-after presence across Asian leagues.

Over the years, Deguara has built a unique basketball journey throughout the region. Since arriving in Asia in 2017, the towering center has suited up for teams in Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, and even the Philippines with Alab Pilipinas-San Miguel in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League.

While fans may have hoped to see his massive frame dominating the paint in the PBA once again, his career path continues to take him across Asia — proving that in professional basketball, opportunity often dictates the next destination.

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