TNT and Rain or Shine are hoping to live up to their lofty billing against separate foes as the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup playoffs begin with Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinals series on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Tropang Giga, who hold a league-best 8-2 record to take the No.1 spot in Group A, test the mettle of sister team and Group B fourth seed NLEX Road Warriors in the first offering at 5 p.m. 

The Elasto Painters, who have a 7-3 slate for the top seed in Group B, see action next as they tangle against Group A No. 4 Magnolia Hotshots in the 7:30 p.m. affair.

All of the teams knew full well how crucial it is for them to set the tone in the opening game of the series and that is exactly what defending champion TNT is aiming for as it hopes to make their title-retention bid even more apparent right on the first game of the playoffs.

Expected to lead the charge is a well-rested reigning Governors’ Cup import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson along with a formidable supporting cast that feature Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Kelly William, JP Erram and Rey Nambatac.

NLEX, though, is surely not a pushover, especially with import DeQuan Jones making immediate impact since his arrival and managing to breathe life to the Road Warriors’ once flickering playoff hopes.

The Road Warriors, for one, have shown the capability to topple a championship caliber team when they took down Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra, 103-99 in overtime to punch their tickets to the playoffs.

Aside from Jones, starring for NLEX is high-scoring guard Robert Bolick who is expected to once again lead the team against TNT along with guys like Baser Amer, Javee Mocon, and Anthony Semerad.

Meanwhile, the second game offers an equally enthralling showdown between an offensive-minded team like Rain or Shine and defense oriented Magnolia.

The Elasto Painters have been on a tear offensively in Group B, utilizing their fast-paced tempo to outrun and outgun their opponents – something that the Hotshots must make sure to address if they hope to limit the offensive efficiency of the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad.

Also a cause of concern for Magnolia is the inside dominance of ROS import Aaron Fuller which heavily complemented the Elasto Painters’ locals who have proven to be capable of getting contributions from almost anyone from their team.

With the daunting task against ROS, Magnolia must also fast-track the process of incorporating new import Rayvonte Rice to its system after having a forgettable five-point, seven-rebound debut against Converge.

Their locals led by Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, and Zav Lucero must also bring their A-game if the Hotshots wish to pull the rug from under the red-hot Elasto Painters.