2 weeks Ago By N/A (Reynald I. Magallon)
Only a week removed from the thrilling conclusion to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, the league immediately plunges back into action with the opening day of the Philippine Cup set on Friday, April. 4. Only a week removed from the thrilling conclusion to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, the league immediately plunges back into action with the opening day of the Philippine Cup set on Friday, April.
4. The league revealed its schedule on Monday, March 31, with Terrafirma, presumably on its last dance in the PBA, hoping to open its farewell tour with a win against Phoenix in the curtain raiser before Meralco also opens its title defense when it takes on last conference’s quarterfinalist Converge. The Bolts, bannered by Chris Newsome, whose game-winning shot gave Meralco its first ever title in the PBA in the All-Filipino conference, are considered one of the top contenders for the league’s most prestigious jewel.
Of course, joining Meralco as one of the favorites to the conference is fellow finalist San Miguel, which will be once again riding the broad shoulders of June Mar Fajardo, who historically have been a dominant presence in the all-Filipino Cup. But the team with the biggest target on its back, however, should be TNT. Even with the moniker change from the Tropang Giga to Tropang 5G, TNT will have the 11 other teams looking at it especially with their expected Grand Slam chase.
The Tropang 5G, however, have to do now on its own with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson not with the team and Jayson Castro still recuperating from injury. San Miguel begins its redemption tour on Saturday, April 5 against NLEX while TNT will have plenty of days rest as it will not see action in the all-Filipino until April 27 against Converge. Young and promising teams like NorthPort, Converge and Rain or Shine also remain as the dark horses of the conference.
The FiberXers are boasting a potent lineup built around the trio of Alec Stockton, Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana while the Elasto Painters are aiming to keep their semis streak going – and hopefully, finally get over the hump and reach the Finals. With the Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference in tow, the Batang Pier are eyeing another deep run in the all-Filipino. Magnolia, Phoenix and Blackwater still have a lot to prove after struggling in the Commissioner’s Cup while Terrafirma is gunning for a graceful exit as Starhorse already bought the franchise and set to take over the team next season.
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