Ginebra and San Miguel are all set to lock horns in Dubai as the storied ball clubs headline the PBA’s return to the Emirati city in October.
The Kings and the Beermen will figure in a Season 50 Philippine Cup matchup at the Coca-Cola Arena on October 26, the league announced Sunday.
Gametime is set at 6:00 PM Dubai time (10:00 PM Manila time).
Both were actually among the three squads that played when the league last played in the ‘City of Gold’ back in October of 2019, the other being NLEX.
The SMC teams didn’t face each other back then, though, as they only took turns battling the Road Warriors in a pair of Governors’ Cup meetings.
San Miguel defeated NLEX by way of a 98-94 decision, but the latter bounced back after taking down the Barangay in an overtime classic, 113-111.
Both matches were also held at the Coca-Cola Arena, and a solid turnout is expected once again, given the Filipino community’s presence in Dubai.
Ginebra remains the PBA’s most popular team, and many UAE-based fans are curious to see how the team reacts following LA Tenorio’s departure.
SMB, on the other hand, is coming in as the defending Philippine Cup champion after reclaiming the Jun Bernardino Trophy last July at the expense of TNT.
The league is expected to announce the other Dubai matchup soon, as it plans to hold two games in its much-awaited return to the city.
Season 50 of the PBA will open shop on October 5.
