
TNT hopes to start its quest for another championship with a win against co-leader NLEX Wednesday, Dec. 15 as the PBA Governors’ Cup finally takes place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in front of a live audience.
The Tropang Giga take on the Road Warriors at 6 p.m. as they see action for the first time in more than a month when they won the Philippine Cup crown at the expense of the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots.
Magnolia is also making its debut in the season-ending conference, earning the distinction with Terrafirma as the first teams to be witnessed by fans in their match set at 3 p.m.
Preparations for the first set of games that is open to the public have been going on since the league received an approval from the Quezon City government after spending the first week of the new conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
About 3,000 to 4,000 people will be allowed to enter provided they are fully vaccinated.
Looking to impress the crowd is TNT, which put an impressive showing the previous conference behind super rookie and Finals Most Valuable Player Mikey Williams.
Williams and the rest of the Troapng Giga will be reinforced by import McKenzie Moore, who will try to be a great blend during the tournament.
Coach Chot Reyes also saw TNT make key additions in Gab Banal and Carl Bryan Cruz.
Out to spoil TNT’s return is NLEX, a team which shared the early lead with Phoenix Super LPG at 2-0 after wins over San Miguel Beer and NorthPort.
Former TNT import KJ McDaniels was huge for coach Yeng Guiao’s Road Warriors during the two games, posting 33.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks.
Meanwhile, Magnolia is eager to redeem itself from the loss to TNT and open its own title aspirations on a high note.
Mike Harris, who was Best Import in 2018 with Alaska, will try to help Magnolia achieve that goal with Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Mark Barroca.
Terrafirma split its first two games, posting a 112-106 overtime victory over Rain or Shine last Saturday behind import Antonio Hester, Alex Cabagnot and Aldrech Ramos.