Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — The 48th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to begin on Nov. 5 with the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and TNT Tropang Giga squaring off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Hotshots and Tropang Giga clash in the curtain raiser of the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup at 7 p.m.
Before the contest, the PBA will be feting the top individual performers last season in the Leo Awards scheduled at 4 p.m., followed by the opening ceremonies at 5 p.m.
The opening game will be featuring imports Tyler Bey and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who both played in the NBA.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Barangay Ginebra will begin its title defense on Nov. 17 against the Converge FiberXers at the Big Dome.
The pro league will play four days a week with the tip-off at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 3 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Out-of-town games are making a comeback with Tiaong, Quezon; San Jose, Batangas; Iloilo City; and Cagayan De Oro City hosting the matches.
Season 48 will also be having Christmas Day games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the San Miguel Beermen facing the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, and Barangay Ginebra colliding with TNT.
The PBA is back to hardcourt action after a break of almost seven months to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ numerous international competitions.
The elimination round of the Commissioner’s Cup will run until January 14.
