Magnolia, TNT make Govs' Cup debut in PBA's Araneta return

The Hotshots and the Tropang Giga will open their PBA Governors' Cup campaigns just as the Smart Araneta Coliseum reopens for PBA action. PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Somehow breaking a pandemic-era tradition of releasing the weekly fixtures on a Tuesday, the PBA opted to reveal the games for Week 2 of the Governors' Cup on a Sunday as the league makes its way back to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Magnolia and TNT, which figured in the Philippine Cup finals last conference, will open their campaign at the reopening of "The Big Dome" to the PBA fans on Wednesday.

The Hotshots will face the Terrafirma Dyip in the first game at 3 p.m. in what would be James Laput's first game against his former team.

The second game at 6 p.m. will see the Tropang Giga opening their campaign for the "pandemic grand slam" against the NLEX Road Warriors.

NLEX import KJ McDaniels would be in the spotlight for this one as he too will face his former squad for the first time.

Blackwater and Meralco will get their turn touching the hardwood of the Smart Araneta Coliseum again for the first time after two years as they will face off in the Thursday curtain-raiser at 3 p.m.

In the second game at 6 p.m., Phoenix will take on Rain Or Shine.

On Friday, TNT will make a quick return as it takes on Alaska in the first game at 3 p.m., while Ginebra battles NorthPort in the second game at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, the weekend games will tip off at an earlier time for Week 2 of the season-ending conference.

Like the weekday twinbills, the first game will begin at 3 p.m., but the second game will start earlier at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the Dyip will collide with the Road Warriors in the first game, while the Bossing will tackle the San Miguel Beermen in the other match.

The Sunday double treat will have the Elasto Painters and the Hotshots in the first game and the Gin Kings locking horns with the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the second game.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno