The PBA on Tuesday unveiled some changes to its 2021 Philippine Cup schedule this week, marking another tweak to its set of games since postponing matches of two ball clubs that underwent health and safety protocols.
TNT will return to action on Friday, July 28, after four of its players were suspected to have contracted COVID-19 per the league’s announcement last July 17. It takes on the streaking Rain or Shine (3-0) at 3:00 p.m.
The said time slot would have been Barangay Ginebra’s clash versus NorthPort that would pit Greg Slaughter against his former team. The battle of 1-2 squads has now been moved to 6:00 PM to cap off a triple-header game day.
Friday’s slate will open with the Dyip looking to earn their first win of the conference against another league leader in Magnolia (3-0) at 12:30.
Terrafirma was the other team under quarantine as it was the Tropang Giga’s opponent last July 17, although none from the team tested positive. It played its first game back Sunday but bowed to NLEX.
TNT will hit the hardwood again on Sunday, August 1, against the Batang Pier at 2:00 PM. They were originally going to face the Elasto Painters, but the latter will instead battle the Dyip at 7:00 PM.
Sunday’s evening bout was initially slated for the NorthPort-Magnolia showdown, but that could be played at a later date.
Bannering Sunday’s treat will be defending champions Gin Kings versus the all-Filipino conference’s former ruler San Miguel at 4:35 PM.
Meanwhile, games on Wednesday and Saturday will go on as originally scheduled at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Beermen wiil open Wednesday’s slate versus the 0-3 Blackwater at 12:30 PM, followed by RoS’ duel with the skidding Alaska (1-2) at 3:00 PM. Phoenix Super LPG (1-2) caps the day off against Meralco (2-1) at 6:00 PM.
The Fuel Masters will then play the Bossing on Saturday at 2:00 PM in a twin bill that will also see the Bolts taking on the Aces at 4:35 PM.
