Terrafirma begins possible 'last dance', Meralco opens title defense in PBA PH Cup Day 1

Terrafirma begins its possible final PBA run right at the start of the Philippine Cup. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The first phase of possibly Terrafirma's last hurrah in the PBA will open the season-ending Philippine Cup on Friday night.

The Dyip will open what could possibly be their last conference in the league amid an impending franchise sale to Starhorse right on the very first game of the all-Filipino tournament against the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium at 5 p.m. on the said day.

The second game of the April 4 doubleheader will see Meralco beginning its title defense against Converge at 7:30 p.m.

The PBA will have the first six doubleheaders of the Philippine Cup inside the entire Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, including the retro night on April 9 to celebrate the league's 50th anniversary.

The PBA officially booked the finals rematch between the Bolts and San Miguel Beermen for the said date at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum that would see both teams wearing throwback jerseys.

The first game of the April 9 twinbill will have the FiberXers battling the Magnolia Hotshots.

Action will then shift to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on April 16 with NorthPort taking on Rain Or Shine in the first game and SMB battling Magnolia in the main event.

After the Holy Week break, TNT and Ginebra, fresh from a classic Commissioner's Cup Finals showdown, begin their quest in the Philippine Cup.

The PLDT franchise, now known as the Tropang 5G, open its bid for a grand slam at 5 p.m. on April 23 against NLEX.

The Gin Kings, on the other hand, will take on the Dyip at 7:30 p.m.

The final weekend of April would see the Hotshots clashing against the Fuel Masters in the lone game for April 26 at the Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City and an April 27 doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo featuring the Elasto Painters versus the Bolts at 5 p.m. and the Tropang 5G against the FiberXers at 7:30 p.m.

The remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations will be revealed at a later date, likely after the All-Star Weekend from May 2-4 in various areas in Metro Davao.

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