PBA season begins in Philippine Arena

By Ivan Saldajeno

The new Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan will be the site of the first PBA games for the 2015 season as the official schedule of the Philippine Cup was released by the league.

Newcomers Kia Sorento and Blackwater Elites will take centerstage in the opening game of the season on October 19 at 3:00 PM.

Later in the day, Barangay Ginebra and Talk 'n Text will battle at 5:15 PM.

Action will then shift to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a Tuesday as the league's other rookie team, the NLEX Road Warriors, will face the GlobalPort Batang Pier 4:15 PM.

In the nightcap, the Rain Or Shine Elastopainters and the San Miguel Beermen will slug it out at 7:00 PM.

Last season's grand slam champions San Mig Coffee Mixers will debut against the Alaska Aces the following night right after the Meralco-Barako Bull game.

After the Bocaue games, the next out-of-town game will be on October 25 as Ginebra and Kia face each other in Lucena City.

Back in Mega Manila, the PBA will play outside its usual Quezon City venue as the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City will host the Kia-Alaska game and the succeeding Meralco-Talk 'n Text match on November 11.

Also, the Ynares Center in Antipolo City will host a doubleheader as NLEX faces Kia and Ginebra battles Meralco ten days later.

The Alonte Sports Center in Binan City will also serve as an alternate Mega Manila arena as Talk 'n Text vs. Barako Bull and Meralco vs San Mig Coffee will take place on November 23 before the Tropang Texters return to face the Elites on November 26.

On December 2, the PBA will go to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Barako Bull vs. NLEX and Alaska vs. Ginebra.

The elimination round of the Philippine Cup will conclude on December 9 back at the Cuneta Astrodome with Blackwater facing San Miguel and GlobalPort taking on Meralco.
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