Two contenders will usher in PBA Season 49 as Meralco and Magnolia headline the opening festivities on August 18 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 7:30 PM, with two of the league’s defensive-oriented squads opening what should be a hectic – and rejigged – Governors’ Cup ahead.
The elimination round will take place six days a week except for Mondays, as the league adjusted its schedule yet again for Gilas Pilipinas’ endeavors – particularly Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers in November.
The busy schedule, furthermore, will see a new format for the preliminaries, where the 12 teams are split into two groups,
Group A is made up of Converge, Terrafirma, NorthPort, TNT, Magnolia, and Meralco, while Group B consists of Blackwater, Phoenix, NLEX, Rain or Shine, Barangay Ginebra, and San Miguel Beer.
Each group will play in a double round-robin format within their groups, with the top four teams qualifying for the best-of-five quarterfinals.
There would be no playoff for no. 8 for the upcoming import-laden conference, with the PBA quotient to be used for the resolution of ties.
The semifinals and Finals, meanwhile, will both be played in a best-of-7, further proving that it will truly be an eventful hoopfest ahead.
Still, the league managed to squeeze in three out-of-town games, beginning on August 24 in Candon, Ilocos Sur featuring Rain or Shine and Ginebra.
San Miguel and NLEX will battle it out in Cagayan de Oro on August 31 in Cagayan de Oro.
Meanwhile, the Bolts and the Hotshots will take on one another in Panabo City, Davao on September 7. All provincial games are set at 6:00 PM.
The Governors’ Cup eliminations will run until September 23, with the games to be played at the Big Dome and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Before Season 49 opens, the PBA will hold its prestigious Leo Awards on August 18 as well. There, the Most Valuable Player and the best performers of Season 48 will be honored.
The ceremonies will start at 5:00 PM.
