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Two teams that put on a show in Dubai last season headline the PBA season that restarts Sunday at the University of Angels Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Geneva and NLEX will meet in the main event of the league’s long-awaited return after a seven-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The game is at 6:45 pm, and the Road Warriors are looking to maintain their dominance of the Gin Kings since last year’s meeting in the City of Gold.
That Governor’s Cup match is best remembered for the fight that NLEX showed, as he fell back from 28 en route to 113-111 overtime victory.
And looking for revenge, there are definitely the darlings of the public, who are among the favorites in this Philippine Cup compressed within the bubble.
Meanwhile, the curtain at 4:00 pm on Sunday will see TNT Tropang GIGA’s new look take on the Alaska Aces.
The schedule for the only conference to be played this season interrupted by the pandemic was released by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
Notable matches include the historic Classic rivalry between Geneva and the Magnolia Hotshots, which will take place on October 25.
Then there is also the October 12 date that Phoenix will face Meralco, which could be Calvin Abueva’s return from a 15-month suspension.
Still, the 32-year-old has yet to complete the necessary requirements that were given to him before the league decides on his return.
Three games will be held on Halloween (October 31), with Blackwater playing Terra Firma; Meralco faces TNT; and Phoenix fighting Rain or Shine.
Knockout round games will take place every day from October 11 to November 11, exactly one month, but teams will not play consecutive matches.
“We have games scheduled more or less every other day. So there are no consecutive games for all teams. “ Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro told the Philippine Sports Writers Association Forum on Tuesday.
San Miguel, a five-time Philippine Cup champion, is heading for the restart with a 1-0 card from their 94-78 win over Magnolia on March 8.
The top four teams at the end of the eliminations will be equipped with a double time advantage in the quarterfinals.
The semi-finals will be a best-of-five affair, with the winners competing for the championship in a best-of-seven battle in the Finals.
