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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Big guns TNT, Ginebra debuting with new reinforcements in Govs' Cup

Big guns TNT, Ginebra debuting with new reinforcements in Govs' Cup

Published Jul 18, 2026 02:54 pm

At A Glance

  • The Tropang 5G take the floor first as they tangle with the still winless Macau Giant Pandas in the 5:15 p.m. opener before the Kings battle the streaking Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 7:30 p.m.main game.
Defending champion TNT and last conference titlist Barangay Ginebra begin their respective campaigns in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup when they take on separate rivals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 19.
The Tropang 5G take the floor first as they tangle with the still winless Macau Giant Pandas in the 5:15 p.m. opener before the Kings battle the streaking Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 7:30 p.m.main game.
Interestingly, both TNT and Ginebra will parade new imports after leaning on their resident reinforcements over the last two editions of the season-ending conference, where they also met in the Finals twice.
Darius Days will now be leadding the Tropang 5G in lieu of longtime import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury.
He is expected to shoulder a heavy load for TNT, which will be without several key players due to injuries including Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams.
“Ang hirap kasi, five straight finals kami kaya nag-break down na katawan ng mga bata. Physically too much. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Mahirap ‘yung limang sunod na finals,” said Reyes.
Meanwhile, the Kings have tapped the services of Riley Grigsby to take over from Justin Brownlee, who was out due to a hamstring strain, peroneal tendinopathy, and cartilage damage in his knee.
Grigsby will be tested immediately against the Fuel Masters, who have been on a roll with a 3-0 record behind the efforts of import and former NBA player BJ Johnson.
On top of a potent local crew that featured Ken Tuffin, Tyler Tio, Jason Perkins, and Ricci Rivero, Phoenix has also loaded up early in the conference after acquiring two-way guard Gian Mamuyac through a trade with Rain or Shine.
Although on a roll to start the conference, the Fuel Masters are guarding against complacency especially going up against the crowd darlings that are the Kings.
“I keep calling us the ‘group of death’ – there’s only two groups, but I’d like to think that we’re in the tougher side,” said Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu.
“We just have to regroup and get ready against Ginebra. Let’s try to see where our momentum will take us and hopefully we’ll continue to pull off some upsets,” he added. 

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Barangay Ginebra TNT PBA
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