Three teams are bound to debut, while another is looking for a first win as the action continues in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Still fresh from their Terrific 12 stint in Japan, TNT KaTropa and Blackwater start their campaign against each other at 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Grand-Slam seeking San Miguel Beer, also a part of the Terrific 12 in Macao, starts its bid for a third straight jewel by squaring off with Phoenix (0-1) at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.
The Tropang Texters, Elite and Beermen are in rhythm coming off their participation overseas wherein San Miguel finished best at No. 4.
Heading back to more serious business, there is only on goal for the Beermen—capture that elusive GrandSlam.
“We’re in a position again to go for a GrandSlam and that’s the goal for us,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “We are presssured but our players are used to that so we’re hoping we can start well to get there.”
San Miguel will parade fresh import Dez Wells, a high-scorer who impressed in the Terrific 12.
He will go up against the Fuel Masters’ resident import Eugene Phelps, who dropped 38 points and 10 rebounds in Phoenix’s 116-123 opening-game loss to NLEX last Saturday.
TNT will have former NBA player KJ McDaniels as its reinforcement, while Blackwater will welcome back former Best Import Marqus Blakely to the league.