PBA Launches 50th Season with Barangay Ginebra Facing Magnolia in Season Opener

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to commence its 50th season with a high-profile opening game on Sunday, September 5. The Manila Clasico rivalry will be reignited as Barangay Ginebra meets the Magnolia Hotshots at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This season opener will follow the Leo Awards ceremony, where last season's standout players will be honored. It will be the only game scheduled on the opening day.

Magnolia, now under the leadership of former Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio, will face his former team, coached by longtime mentor Tim Cone. Tenorio, who played 12 seasons with the Gin Kings, holds a unique position as a playing coach for the Hotshots. Key Magnolia players to watch include Zav Lucero, Mark Barroca, and Paul Lee.

Barangay Ginebra will rely on the continued excellence of Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar. Attention will also be focused on rookie Sonny Estil, a late draft pick who impressed scouts with outstanding performances at the PBA Draft combine.

The PBA season will feature 27 games played outside Metro Manila, including fixtures in Dubai and Bahrain. A break in the schedule is planned from November 17 to December 4 to accommodate the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier window.

The opening week also marks the debut of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, formerly known as the NorthPort Batang Pier. The Giant Risers will face the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, October 8, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. On the same day, defending All-Filipino champions San Miguel Beermen will play against the NLEX Road Warriors.

In this All-Filipino conference, 12 teams will compete in a single-round elimination format, each playing 11 games. The elimination round is scheduled to conclude by December 19, followed by the playoffs to crown the champion.