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| The Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which began hosting basketball tournaments again like the PSA Cup, will be hosting the PBA games again for the first time since 2011. Angelica Castro/PSA (file photo) |
MAKATI—For the first time in 13 years, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila will be a PBA battleground again.
The said arena, which is now using the same hardwood used during last year's FIBA World Cup, will hold some games of the PBA Philippine Cup beginning with an April 6 doubleheader.
Blackwater and Rain Or Shine clash in the first game of the said twinbill at 3 p.m. to be followed by a 6:15 p.m. showdown between NLEX and Magnolia.
The NAS will also host the doubleheaders on April 7 and 10 before returning there on April 14, 17, 24, and May 5, the last day of the elimination round.
Since it has been reopened for public use with the new flooring, the NAS has held games in various amateur leagues like the UNTV Cup and the PSA Cup.
The other Philippine Sports Commission-owned arena, the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, will still hold games beginning on March 13.
The traditional season-opening conference, placed at the second half of the calendar for this season, will begin with a Feb. 28 doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Terrafirma and Converge collide in the PBA Philippine Cup opener at 4:30 p.m., while the Road Warriors and the NorthPort Batang Pier clash in the second game at 7:30 p.m.
Action will then shift to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on March 1 with the Bossing, unveiling James Yap and Rey Nambatac for the first time since joining them, taking on the Meralco Bolts at 4:30 p.m. and the Elasto Painters battling the TNT Tropang Giga at 7:30 p.m.
Ginebra's campaign will open on March 8 also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against ROS and will quickly play Phoenix two nights later.
The San Miguel Beermen, the reigning Commissioner's Cup champion, opens its bid to become the PBA's first two-conference grand slam winner with a March 15 clash against the Elasto Painters.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, begin their road to redemption after losing the Commissioner's Cup Finals the night after against the FiberXers at an arena that will be announced at a later date.
The rematch of last season's Philippine Cup Finals between SMB and TNT will happen on March 17 at the Ynares Center.
The Manila Clasico showdown between Magnolia and Ginebra will happen in the first doubleheader after the All-Star break on March 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots and the Beermen will meet again after their finals clash on April 26 back at "The Big Dome".
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