Converge's PBA debut to happen in Season 47 opener

The FiberXers will be in action right at the start of the new PBA season. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—The new kids on the block will be featured right in the first game of the PBA's 47th season.

Converge will quickly get a baptism of fire on Sunday as it battles Rain or Shine in the opening salvo of the league's new season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In the full elimination round schedule for the Philippine Cup, copies of which were distributed to reporters present during the PBA board of governors' preseason press conference on Monday at the Conrad Manila Ballroom, the FiberXers will face the Elasto Painters at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the front end of a rare opening day doubleheader.

The opening day festivities will begin with the opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. highlighted by the Leo Awards for Season 46.

On who among NorthPort's Robert Bolick, Magnolia's Calvin Abueva, TNT's Mikey Williams, and Ginebra's Scottie Thompson will be named the 2021-22 Most Valuable Player will be determined in the said event.

Abueva and Williams will face off in the main game of the Sunday twin bill as the Hotshots and the Tropang Giga clash in an early rematch of last year's Philippine Cup Finals.

Action resumes on June 8 also at "The Big Dome" as Terrafirma battles NLEX in the first game at 3 p.m. and Phoenix takes on San Miguel at 6 p.m.

Action will then shift to the Ynares Center in Antipolo on June 9 as Blackwater opens its campaign against TNT at 5:15 p.m. and NorthPort begins its own Season 47 stint against ROS at 7:15 p.m.

Meralco will make its season debut on June 11 against Phoenix at 7:15 p.m. also at the Ynares Center right after the 5:15 p.m. game between NorthPort and Terrafirma.

Ginebra's own season debut will be the main highlight of the PBA's Independence Day offering also at the Ynares Center, taking on Blackwater at 6:30 p.m.

The Gin Kings will make a quick return on June 15 as action shifts to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, battling the Elasto Painters at 6 p.m. following the 3 p.m. game between the Hotshots and the Batang Pier.

The first edition of the "Manila Clasico", that is, the Magnolia-Ginebra game, will take place on June 19 also at the MOA Arena.

The fast-paced elimination round will end on July 22 even as the conference is expected to conclude by Sept. 2 the latest.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno