TNT’s first appearance since winning the Philippine Cup crown will highlight the return of PBA action before a limited capacity on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga take the NLEX Road Warriors at 6 p.m. in the main game of the league’s first playdate at the Big Dome since March 2020.
Losing finalist Magnolia Pambansang Manok sees action in the 3 p.m. opener opposite Terrafirma, which split its first two games in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.
Meralco will be the last team to debut in the reinforced tournament the following day against Blackwater at 3 p.m. followed by unbeaten Phoenix Super LPG versus Rain or Shine at 6 p.m.
Defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel gets a chance to play in front of its fans for the first time since the pandemic Friday, Dec. 17 versus NorthPort at 6 p.m. with TNT taking on Alaska in the 3 p.m.
Matches on Saturday, Dec. 18 pit Terrafirma-NLEX at 3 p.m. and San Miguel Beer-Blackwater at 5:30 p.m.
The first week at the Big Dome ends Sunday, Dec. 19 featuring Magnolia and Rain or Shine at 3 p.m. and Ginebra-Phoenix at 5:45 p.m.
The PBA is returning to one of its old stomping grounds after receiving a clearance from the Quezon City government a few days ago.
Under the arrangement, the PBA can accommodate about 3,000 to 4,000 fans provided they are fully vaccinated.
Araneta is also slated to host games on Dec. 22, Christmas Day and Dec. 26 as well as the sixth leg of the PBA 3x3 on Dec. 20 to 21 and Grand Finals on Dec. 29.