Magnolia is poised to introduce a new face in the upcoming 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Hotshots have reached an agreement with Tyler Bey to be their import for the opening conference of the season, confirmed by head coach Chito Victolero.
Victolero mentioned that the team initially intended to bring back Nick Rakocevic, but he remains under contract with Zhejiang in the Chinese Basketball Association.
However, the team didn’t encounter difficulty in finding a replacement, as they came across Bey, who coincidentally shares the same agency as the Serbian big man.
Facilitating the decision for the team to choose the 25-year-old from Las Vegas was Rakocevic’s extensive knowledge about him and his playing style.
“Nick also had a factor kay Bey because he knows the guy also,” the champion mentor told Tiebreaker Times.
“Naging magkalaban, at magkakilala.”
Guidance from Rakocevic, coupled with game footage, ultimately persuaded Magnolia to sign Bey, who was the 36th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
“We arrived na ito ‘yung bagay sa amin,” said Victolero. “He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year nung college, and can play multiple positions.”
The standout from Colorado was honored as the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, a year after receiving First Team All-Pac-12 recognition.
Presently, he has evolved into a seasoned professional after stints in the G-League with Long Island, Salt Lake City, and Rio Grande, along with his time at Ironi Ness Ziona in Israel.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Bey contributes increased flexibility to the Hotshots’ frontline, which includes Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, and the significantly improved James Laput.
Bey is anticipated to arrive in early September.
