By MARK REY MONTEJO
Import Tyler Bey remained happy and proud of Magnolia’s run in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup despite coming up short after losing to San Miguel through six games in the finals.
The youngest in this conference’s batch of imports, the 26-year-old Las Vegas native played a key role to the Hotshots’ impressive run this conference — the impressive that he said he would cherish especially with Magnolia which served as his family for three good months in the country.
“It was amazing, for me personally. We didn’t get the result that we wanted, but I just felt like we have a group of guys that I could call family” said Bey as he looked back on the bond that he formed with his teammates.
Although the once promising run came to a bitter end, it is just another reason for Bey to be open for a possible return with Magnolia next season and settle the unfinished business.
“For sure, no doubt, I would love to come back [here]. I just hope we can run it back and go from there [again],” he added following their 104-102 series-ending loss to the Beermen, in Game Six of the 2023- ‘24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
It’s not too far fetched for Bey to actually get a second tour of duty with the Hotshots especially after finishing a runner up in the Best Import race and leading his team to a top seed finish in the eliminations.
Even in the Finals, Bey proved to be an able two-way player the Hotshots needed, effectively shadowing San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright while also taking the scoring cudgels along with Magnolia stars Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang.
