PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup fires off

Sports

Games Friday, July 10

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

5:15 p.m.- Terrafirma vs. Titan Ultra

7:30 p.m.- Macau vs. NLEX

SLAMBANG hardcourt action returns as the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup fires off today (Friday, July 10), at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

A double-header will kick off the import-flavored tournament with the Terrafirma Dyip going up against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser and the new-look NLEX Road Warriors taking on guest team Macau Giant Pandas in the 7:30 p.m. mainer.

The main game will feature the coaching debut of Jimmy Alapag, who ended a six-year stint as member of the Sacramento Kings coaching staff to call the shots for the Road Warriors.

Alapag replaced Jong Uichico, who helped the Road Warriors top the elimination round of the Commissioner’s Cup only to squander a twice-to-beat bonus against sister-team TNT Tropang 5G in the semifinals.

NLEX tapped DeQuan Jones as their import with Robert Bolick and Kevin Alas expected to lead the local crew.

Macau is back again even after putting up a dismal showing in the Commissioner’s Cup where they went 3-9 (win-loss).

The Giants will be reinforced by De’Vondre Perry.

NLEX and Macau are bracketed in Group A along with TNT, San Miguel Beer, Converge, Titan Ultra, and Terrafirma.

Group B has Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, Phoenix, Blackwater, Rain or Shine, and Meralco.

Teams in their respective groups will play each other twice for their elimination round assignment.

Terrafirma and Titan also gun for an auspicious start.

Titan has enlisted Tirrell Brown as its import and will also have locals Joshua Munzon, Fran Yu, Cade Flores, and JB Sajonia in its arsenal.

Terrafirma, a perennial tail-ender, will be led by import Justin Strings, who will also count on Juami Tiongson, Maverick Ahanmisi, Joseph Eriobu, Geo Chiu, and Brent Paraiso.(CCM)