FILE–Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs TNT Tropang Giga in a PBA game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The PBA has released the official schedule for the Season 48 Philippine Cup with Rain or Shine and TNT headlining the opening games on February 28.
Blackwater and and Meralco square off at Ynares Center, Antipolo at 4:30 pm to kick off the PBA All-Filipino conference followed by a main game between TNT and Rain or Shine at 7:30pm.
The PBA will also keep its out-of-town games alive for the new conference with games scheduled in Candon, Ilocos Sur and Tiaong, Quezon, Cagayan de Oro and Batangas on select Saturdays.
Blackwater-Meralco and TNT-Rain or Shine will now be the opening doubleheader of the PBA Philippine Cup on Feb. 28 at Ynares Center in Antipolo City. | 📸: PBA via @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/uzDTn9g0Mh
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 23, 2024
On April 13, there will be two games hosted in different venues with the Elasto Painters and Terrafirma facing off at Caloocan Sports Complex at 3 pm, followed by Tropang Giga’s bout against NLEX at Candon at 6:30 pm.
The April 20 doubleheader will also have the same set up, with Phoenix and NLEX battling at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and Rain or Shine taking on Magnolia in Tiaong, Quezon.
The PBA will also hold games away from the usual venue of Araneta Coliseum with the refurbished Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, where the Fiba World Cup flooring is installed, serving as host for several days.
Meanwhile, the rematch of the Philippines Cup Finals of yesteryear between San Miguel and Tropang Giga will take place on March 17, Sunday, at Antipolo.
Defending champion and PBA Commissioner’s Cup winner Beermen begin their bid for back-to-back Philippine Cups on March 15, Friday, at Araneta Coliseum against Barangay Ginebra.