PBA: TNT, Magnolia clash in season opener

FILE–TNT guard Jayson Castro drives against Magnolia guard Mark Barroca in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–TNT and Magnolia will meet in the lone game to usher in the start of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on November 5 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The match-up between last season’s Governors’ Cup champion and the only unbeaten team of the PBA On Tour will cap off a busy day that also features the 47th season Leo Awards and the traditional opening ceremonies.

Araneta, Philsports Arena and Ynares Center in Antipolo City will serve as regular venues during the eliminations which last until mid-January.

Each team will once again play 11 games with the top eight advancing to the quarterfinals, the four best records holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

Here’s the 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup schedule!

🎉We open on November 5.
🎄There’s a Christmas game and
✈️ we have provincial games 😊#PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/HJfhBq0yka

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 17, 2023

The semifinals are a best-of-five while the Finals will be a best-of-seven affair.

Tip-off times have been changed from last season with Wednesday and Friday games set at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. while weekend matches have earlier starts of 3 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Four out-of-town games are also slated on Nov. 25 in Tiaong, Quezon (Converge-San Miguel Beer), Dec. 9 in San Jose, Batangas (Barangay Ginebra-Phoenix), Dec. 16 in Cagayan de Oro City (Magnolia-Rain or Shine) and Jan. 6 in Iloilo City (Magnolia-Meralco).

San Miguel takes on Phoenix while Ginebra and TNT square off at the Big Dome for the league’s Christmas Day twinbill.