Former Bay Area Dragon Duncan Reid had valuable advice for his national team teammates ahead of Hong Kong Eastern’s participation in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Hong Kong A1 Division squad will play as a guest team in the next conference, just as Reid’s Dragons did during the 2022-23 edition of the tournament.
Yuet Yeung Pok, Ka Hin Marco Leung, and Yiu Pong Yip all got their first taste of Filipino basketball in their 54-93 loss to Gilas earlier on Sunday evening.
They are all expected to suit up for Eastern.
“First of all, enjoy it. The PBA has some of the best fans in Asia,” said the Hong Kong center, who got six points and six rebounds in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier game held at SM Mall of Asia Arena. “I still have people coming up to me, asking me about Bay Area. That was a really special time for me, so I tell those guys to enjoy it, and to learn.
“The PBA has a very specific style, and their style is different from the Chinese style.”
The 6-foot-9 big man spoke highly of his contemporaries during the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup, especially the guards they faced.
“Be careful, the PBA guards are very skilled. I told them to be ready for the physicality.”
With none of the three young stalwarts of Hong Kong Eastern being over the age of 21, Reid shared how crucial their Qualis game was in giving his teammates a first glimpse of the PBA.
“I think it’s also really good that they got to play against guys like June Mar (Fajardo), Scottie (Thompson), and JB (Justin Brownlee), so they can see what they’re getting into,” he added.
Reid concluded by wishing Pok, Leung, and Yip the best form come next conference, and for his compatriots to represent Hong Kong well.
