PBA goes to four provinces for ‘On Tour’ exhibition games

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will visit four provinces and one prominent campus in Metro Manila as part of its “On Tour” exhibition series which starts later this month.

Part of the two-month slate that runs until the end of July are visits to Baliwag, Bulacan and Batangas City, both located near the metropolis, one long trip by land to Tiaong, Quezon and a plane ride to Dumaguete City.

Magnolia and NLEX face off in Baliwag on June 3, San Miguel Beer takes on Meralco on June 10, Barangay Ginebra plays NorthPort on June 17 in Batangas and Magnolia squares off with Rain or Shine on July 15 in Dumaguete.

University of Santo Tomas is also hosting one doubleheader on July 5 with NorthPort against NLEX followed by Ginebra opposite Meralco in the nightcap.

READ: PBA releases full schedule of its "On Tour" exhibition series that will run from May 21 until July 30. | 📷: PBA via @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/wQP1ivIESx

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Most of the games are going to be held at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Ynares Center in Antipolo City and FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The series starts on May 21 with the NLEX-Blackwater being the lone game at Caloocan Sports Complex.

Caloocan City is also hosting the May 27 tiff between San Miguel and NorthPort at the same venue.

No champion will be crowned after the series which will see teams play 11 games each. The series, being an exhibition, will likely see less appearances from familiar names while giving less-heralded players and free agents the chance to show their wares.

The PBA is also going to implement proposed rule changes that could be used for the 48th season which will open in October, including the challenge system which allows coaches to contest a call.

Games are every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with tipoff times of 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for every doubleheader and 5 p.m. for a one-game tiff.