FANS who get to watch PBA games live again should be in for a big treat today when the Governors Cup returns at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Philippine Cup finalists TNT and Magnolia kick off their campaign in the season-ending tournament, ranged against teams both on a high.
The Tropang Giga begin their quest for a season double when they tangle with an NLEX crew gunning for a third win in as many games and the solo lead.
The Hotshots also aim to kick off their campaign on a high note when they duel Terrafirma in the day’s opener.
The game should offer a glimpse of how TNT’s newcomers in Gab Banal and Carl Bryant Cruz, not to mention import McKenzie Moore, blend with the team core of Jayson Castro, Poy Erram, Troy Rosario, RR Pogoy, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and super rookie Mikey Williams.
NLEX is no pushover, however.
The Road Warriors started the tourney with back-to-back wins over San Miguel Beer and NorthPort, the last via a 120-115 overtime decision last Friday.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao believes his team and import KJ McDaniels, who coincidentally reinforced TNT in the same tournament the last time it was held in 2019, can still get better.
“That is going to come with more games, that is going to come with more practices,” said Guiao.
“I feel like as the season goes on with the practices we have, I’ll be in much better conditioning… I’ll definitely be better down the stretch,” said McDaniels, who is already averaging 33.5 points, 13 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
Just as excited to play, partly because fans are now in attendance, are Magnolia and Terrafirma.
The Dyip are coming off a breakthrough win in the tourney, a 112-106 overtime thriller over Rain or Shine, and will parade a couple of former Hotshots in Aldrech Ramos and Justin Melton, not to mention hulking import Antonio Hester, in their bid to score a follow-up win.
It should take a lot of doing since, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Magnolia has an 11-game winning streak over Terrafirma. The last time the Dyip won was in the 2016 Governors Cup when they were still known as the Mahindra Enforcers.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, sa mga players, coaches, matagal na kaming di nananalo dito sa Magnolia,” said Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel. “But now, meron kaming Alex Cabagnot na leader, saka si Hester, malaki talagang tulong. Si Aldrech din, saka si Melton na maglalaro na. Puwedeng makuhanan ng panalo,.”
Magnolia sure is ready, eager to see how former Best Import awardee Mike Harris fares.
“Very excited din kami, sa import and at the same time may crowd na manonood,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero. “Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na it’s okay to be excited, but kailangan lang din maging-composed, i-temper excitement namin.”
Victolero’s wary approach is founded on the fact his team has only played in practices.
“Advantage din ang Terrafirma, they’ve already played two games,” he said. “Kami umpisa pa lang. ‘Yung kanilang rhythm, timing maganda na. But I think we’re ready.”
The doubleheader is the first lined up in the conference’s second week of action and the first to be played at the Big Dome since March 8, 2020, three days before the country was put on a lockdown due to the pandemic.
