PBA: Meralco battles Magnolia in season opener

Meralco vs Magnolia during the PBA Philippine Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Philippine Cup champion Meralco takes on Magnolia to tip off the PBA’s season-opening Governors’ Cup on Aug. 18 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The league made the announcement Wednesday on social media, with the Meralco-Magnolia duel set at 7:30 p.m. being the lone match of a busy opening-day slate.

Top achievers from last season will be bared in the Leo Awards at 4 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies for Season 49 at 5 p.m.

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Mark your calendars! Here’s your #PBASeason49 Governors’ Cup ELIMS Schedule#PBAAngatAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/Wlg2CgszLX

— PBA (@pbaconnect) August 14, 2024

Serving as subplot to the opener is the implementation of the four-point line, the much-talked new rule the league decided to adopt in a move to add flavor to the games.

PBA games will be held six days a week for the elimination round that ends Sept. 23 in a move to shorten the conference due to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers in November.

Three out-of-town games are set Aug. 24 in Candon, Ilocos Sur pitting Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, Aug. 31 in Cagayan de Oro City between San Miguel Beer and NLEX and Sept. 7 in Panabo, Davao headlining Meralco and Magnolia.

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Teams are divided into two groups with Meralco and Magnolia in Group A with TNT, Terrafirma and Converge, with San Miguel, Ginebra, Rain or Shine, NLEX, Phoenix and Blackwater in Group B.

Each squad plays 10 games with teams in their respective groups facing twice.

The top four teams in both groups meet in a crossover quarterfinals which is a best-of-five series.
The semis and Finals are best-of-seven affairs.