ON Monday, the PBA released the full schedule of games in the 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup, which will start on November 27 at the Philsports Arena.
As the countdown now begins to the opening of the new tournament, SPIN.ph has compiled 20 games to watch for the coming conference varying from rivalry games, to intriguing match-ups, to rookies set to make their PBA debut, to players facing their old teams or playing their first game with their new squads.
Converge vs. Terrafirma
When: November 27, 2024, 5 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
Jordan Heading makes his PBA debut on November 27, the opening day of the Commissioner’s Cup, and ironically, he will play his first game against the team that drafted him in Terrafirma.
Heading was selected during the PBA Season 46 Gilas special draft in 2020 but never played in the squad. Four years later, the Dyip later gave up their signing rights to the FiberXers. The first game will see a glimpse of what Converge will now look like with Heading, known for his outside shooting.
The Dyip will also be a must-watch for this game especially with rookies Mark Nonoy and CJ Catapusan now part of the team after their stint in the MPBL, and also expected to make their PBA debut in the game.
Eastern vs. Phoenix
When: November 27, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
Eastern, a team based in Hong Kong, is also set to play their first game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup opening day, looking to replicate the success of the Bay Area Dragons during the 2022-23 season. HK Eastern is serving as a guest team for this conference, and the match against Phoenix will also provide a closer look at the team.
Eastern remains a mystery even though it is playing in the EASL although it has the likes of former Bay Area Dragons players Glen Yang and Kobey Lam in the roster. Former PBA import Cameron Clark and Jordan McLaughlin are the imports of Eastern in the EASL, but the team has to pick one for the Commissioner’s Cup wars.
Eastern vs. TNT
When: December 6, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
TNT will play its first game since capturing the PBA Governors’ Cup crown on December 6, and it will be against the guest team Eastern.
Though it still has tough assignments in Converge and Rain or Shine prior to the match, Eastern will get its first test against a PBA champion team in TNT, which will once again bring back Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the Commissioner’s Cup.
It could also be a tough outing for TNT, which may not be at its best for this match but would definitely be fighting for that win to start off the conference on a high note.
San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine
When: December 10, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Filoil EcoOil Centre
The PBA will make one stop at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, and the league ensured that the playdate will be an interesting one as San Miguel and Rain or Shine collide.
Both teams had an unforgettable clash during their Governors’ Cup encounter when June Mar Fajardo sank a buzzer-beater for San Miguel to edge Rain or Shine, 113-112, last September 5. Rain or Shine got back at San Miguel, 122-112, last September 19 to snap a 12-game losing streak.
NLEX vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: December 11, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Barangay Ginebra opens the Commissioner’s Cup on this date with potentially becoming the first game of Troy Rosario in a Gin Kings uniform, certainly something that fans will be eagerly awaiting.
NLEX, meanwhile, will try to play the spoilers’ role. The last time the two teams met, NLEX won an overtime game over Barangay Ginebra, 103-99, on September 22 in the Governors’ Cup.
Converge vs. NorthPort/Converge vs. NLEX
When: December 12, 2024. 5 p.m./December 17, 2024. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
We chose two dates because these could potentially be the first game of Justine Baltazar in a Converge uniform and in the PBA. Of course, that would depend on when Baltazar’s stint with Pampanga ends, with the MPBL finals starting on December 1.
Either way, people must still keep an eye on the match between Converge and NorthPort, regardless of whether Baltazar plays or not.
Tension rose between the two teams during one of their games in the Governors’ Cup when Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso got into an argument with NorthPort team governor Erick Arejola, with the commotion even spilling over in the dugout area of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The rift could be attributed to the issue related to Dave Ildefonso, Danny’s son, as he has not yet signed with NorthPort, the team that drafted him earlier this season.
Eastern vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: December 15, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Barangay Ginebra fans still has vivid memories of its title victory over Bay Area Dragons during the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup where the finals reached Game Seven and played at the Philippine Arena.
The Gin Kings take a crack at another guest team, this time, against Eastern. The match-up comes after the Gins face NLEX on December 11 to open the conference and Phoenix on December 13, meaning they will have little rest when they go up against the Hong Kong-based guest team.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Terrafirma
When: December 18, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Barangay Ginebra will go up against Terrafirma on December 18 for the first time since they pulled off a blockbuster trade before the season.
Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle will play on the opposite side this time as they face their former team Barangay Ginebra. Meanwhile, Stephen Holt and Isaac Go will also lock horns for the first time against the team that drafted them in Terrafirma.
Meralco vs. Converge
When: December 25, 2024. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
The second game on Christmas Day will be the headliner but the first match isn’t bad at all as Meralco and Converge go at it. This game makes the list because it’s going to be the first time in franchise history that the two teams will play on Christmas, so it will be interesting how they will play under the bright lights.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Magnolia
When: December 25, 2024. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
As expected, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia will face off again on Christmas Day, but there could be a higher level of anticipation for the players and, most of all, the fans for this game.
The Gin Kings and the Hotshots last played against each other since May 11 when they battled in the 2024 Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The two teams didn’t meet during the re-formatted Governors’ Cup even in the playoff round.
San Miguel vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: January 5, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Right after the holiday break, Barangay Ginebra will be in for another tough battle when it clashes with sister team San Miguel.
Outside their Manila Clasico battle with Magnolia, the Gin Kings have an equally intense battles with the Beermen over the years, including the recent Governors’ Cup where they won the semifinal series. The Beermen would like a measure of revenge in the first PBA playdate of 2025.
Blackwater vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: January 12, 2025. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
George King is returning for the Commissioner’s Cup where he will go up against Barangay Ginebra once again.
King had a memorable PBA debut last August 30 when he had 33 points and 19 rebounds in Blackwater’s huge 95-88 upset win over the Gin Kings in the Governors’ Cup.
Ginebra did get a measure of revenge in its second round encounter when it won, 112-98, last September 10. King certainly wants a repeat victory over Ginebra in the upcoming conference.
Magnolia vs. San Miguel
When: January 12, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
A rematch of last season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals will take place in Antipolo City as Magnolia and San Miguel collide.
The Beermen won last season’s affair over the Hotshots in six games earlier this year. Bennie Boatwright and Tyler Bey won’t be around for their respective teams but most of the players from last season’s battle remains the same.
Both squads also didn’t see action last conference, with their last match-up dating back to April 26. San Miguel came out victorious over Magnolia, 98-91, in the Philippine Cup.
Converge vs. Rain or Shine
When: January 14, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Two independent teams which have made strides over the past months will square off on January 14 as Converge faces Rain or Shine.
The FiberXers took San Miguel to the limit, forcing a Game Five in their quarterfinal series in the Governors’ Cup. In the same conference, the Elasto Painters topped the elimination round but lost to eventual champion TNT in the semifinals.
A sidelight is Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao looking to find ways to contain his fellow Kapampangan Justine Baltazar for the match.
TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: January 17. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
The rematch was set later in the conference as TNT and Barangay Ginebra clash in a game that could be vital to their playoff lives in the Commissioner’s Cup.
This will be the first time that the Tropang Giga will battle the Gin Kings after their title victory in the Governors’ Cup as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is set to once again go one-on-one with Justin Brownlee, expected to be the import of the Gin Kings this conference.
The game also has another side story as Troy Rosario, reportedly set to sign with Ginebra, faces his former team TNT, which also showed interest in signing the ex-National University standout.
San Miguel vs. Meralco
When: January 18, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Candon, llocos Sur
Due to the different tournament format in the Governors’ Cup, PBA observers never saw the meet-up between Meralco and San Miguel after their Philippine Cup finals because they were in different groups.
With the league back to its old format, the Bolts and the Beermen will now engage exactly seven months and two days after Chris Newsome nailed the game-winning shot in Game Six to lift Meralco to an 80-78 win over San Miguel. Fans in Candon are in for another treat.
Converge vs. Blackwater
When: January 19, 2025. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
It’s going to be No. 1 vs. No. 2 as Justine Baltazar faces Sedrick Barefield for the first time. With Baltazar still in the MPBL, Barefield has been one of the top rookies of the season, and he will finally square off against the player that was picked ahead of him in the PBA.
San Miguel vs. Converge
When: January 24, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Justine Baltazar will face his toughest test yet in his young PBA career on this date as the Season 49 No. 1 draft pick battles eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo when Converge faces San Miguel.
Baltazar and fellow big man Justin Arana are expected to take turns in containing Fajardo as it will also be a rematch of their semifinal series in the Governors’ Cup.
The match-up is actually a crucial one and has playoff implications especially for Converge, which will play its final elimination round game in this date.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco
When: January 29, 2025. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
There is always a different feel when Barangay Ginebra and Meralco go against each other with their history in the Governors’ Cup finals.
But this coming match-up between the two teams will now have a different protagonist as Akil Mitchell, coming in for the Commissioner’s Cup after the retirement of Allen Durham, faces Justin Brownlee.
Meralco vs. Magnolia
When: January 31, 2025. 5 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
The final playdate of the elimination round will see Meralco and Magnolia, two teams known for their defense, squaring off in a potential game with playoff implications.
The Bolts and the Hotshots have developed close encounters in the past, and this conference is expected to be no different. Last conference, the average winning margin was 6.5 points with Meralco sweeping the two games over Magnolia in the Governors’ Cup.
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