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| It will be the Beermen and the Hotshots to kick off the 2020 season. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA—An early rematch of last year's PBA Philippine Cup Finals will kick off the 45th season of the Philippines' premier professional cagefest.
As announced on Monday, San Miguel and Magnolia will face off in the first game of the 2020 season on March 1.
Both the Beermen and the Hotshots battled to a full length seven-game series in the finals of the season-opening conference with the former prevailing after a down-the-wire finish in Game 7.
While the full schedule of the Philippine Cup is yet to be released as of posting, the league confirmed that the upcoming season will follow the calendar of the previous season.
To give way to Gilas Pilipinas Men's campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, the PBA has moved its opening to March while it will reserve some dates late in November for their gear-up for the second window. If the Governors' Cup Finals go the full length, the season could end by Jan. 29 next year.
Meanwhile, the All-Star Weekend is set from July 10-12 in Passi, while neighboring Iloilo City will host a PBA Philippine Cup game at the University of San Agustin Gym.
Also confirmed to host PBA games for the first conference are the Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Xavier University Gym in Cagayan De Oro, Panabo City Multipurpose Tourism Cultural and Sport Center, and Dipolog Sports Center.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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