Ginebra Import Tony Bishop On The Meralco Bolts: 'Love And Respect For Those Guys'

This year's PBA Commissioner's Cup has been competitive, yet interesting so far. New imports and a bunch of players switching teams either via free agency or trade.

The most obvious change is the absence of Ginebra's resident import Justin Brownlee in the PBA's reinforced conference. After helping Gilas Pilipinas win the gold at the recent Asian Games in China last September, the ITA or International Testing Agency announced on October 12, 2023, that Brownlee tested positive for a prohibited substance.

No official verdict on the matter yet since November 19, but Ginebra wasted no time in finding a temporary replacement for Brownlee. Fortunately though, the team's Governor Alfrancis Chua already had someone in mind on his phone's speed dial – Tony Bishop.

Bishop played for rival Meralco Bolts but eventually lost to Barangay Ginebra during the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup Finals.

Now playing for Ginebra, Bishop hopes to help his new team make the playoffs this conference.

"It's great. You know, I'm learning a lot. I'm trying to get everything down with the team," the 6'8" center/forward said during an appearance at the recently concluded 2023 YGG Web3 Games Summit last November. "Our chemistry, you know, our defense and offense – everything down, so we can win games and make a playoff push."

Barangay Ginebra is currently at number 5 in the standings with a 4-3 record. On December 22, Bishop will play against his former team, the Meralco Bolts, for the very first time.

Not surprising that the Bolts are on top of his list of teams to beat in the PBA's reinforced conference yet he insists he still has love and respect for his ex-teammates. He also hopes his fans from both teams will continue to support him no matter the outcome on Friday.

"Yes, for sure. That's [sic] number one on my list," Bishop shared. "Really, I have love and respect for those guys [Meralco Bolts] over there, you know. But they're number one on my list."

"I mean, you know. It's love for Meralco and Ginebra fans. I hope you guys continue to follow and support us – support me. Just have patience with us that we're improving each and every day," he added.