Games on Friday
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
5:15 p.m. – Terrafirma vs Titan
7:30 p.m. – Macau vs NLEX

TEN hungry teams out to crash the party of the “Big 3.” A legendary playmaker taking his new role as coach. A controversial player on a redemption tour after a long suspension due to off-court troubles.

These storylines and more are ready to unfold in the PBA’s final offering for its golden season.

The import-flavored Governors’ Cup fires off on Friday with a double-header at Ynares Center-Antipolo pitting Terrafirma against Titan Ultra and NLEX versus guest team Macau.

For these Group A squads, it’s Day 1 of the mission to stop the rampage of the heavyweight trio that have collared the crown — or at least take runner-up honors — in the last five conferences: TNT, San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.

The Tropang 5G captured the Season 49 Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titles then grabbed silver in the next three.

The Beermen scored back-to-back Philippine Cup championships (Seasons 49 and 50) at the expense of TNT as the Gin Kings dethroned the Tropang 5G in last month’s Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

The conference’s kickoff in the highlands of Rizal marks the start of Jimmy Alapag’s tenure at the helm of NLEX.

Ditto John Amores, who’s getting his second chance at Titan after reaching a settlement on charges filed in court over a 2024 shooting incident in Laguna and receiving a license from the Games and Amusements Board to resume his playing career.

Mr. Amores’ first game back could happen in the 5:15 p.m. duel with the Dyip.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alapag, who’s returning to Asia’s first play for pay league after spending the last six years with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, gets his baptism of fire at 7:30 p.m. against the retooled Giant Pandas.

“Exicted for this group, grateful for the opportunity to coach them and looking forward to getting started,” said the TNT and Gilas Pilipinas great of his Robert Bolick-led crew.

In his first move as chief strategist, Mr. Alapag worked to acquire guard Evan Nelle from Phoenix in exchange for veteran big Sidney Onwubere.

“He’s one of the many young talented guards in the PBA today. He’s got a great basketball IQ, he’s a winner and he provided us with a lot of versatility with our guard,” he said of Mr. Nelle, whom he trained in the US before applying for the PBA Rookie Draft last season. — Olmin Leyba