BARANGAY Ginebra and TNT finally make their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup debuts against separate foes on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Also playing his first game for his new team is Gian Mamuyac after a trade that went down midweek.
Read our preview of the double-header later.
TNT VS. MACAU
When: Sunday, July 19. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
TNT opens new conference
TNT begins its Govs’ Cup title defense after it finished runner-up to Ginebra in the Commissioner’s Cup. It could be light work for the Tropang 5G in their conference opener, as they take on winless Macau.
Macau still winless
The Giant Pandas have lost their first three games, all of which in blowout fashion. Last Friday, Macau was routed by Converge, 149-124, and has now lost by an average margin of 26 points this conference.
Cao on fire
Ramon Cao had his best night as a PBA player against Converge when he lit up for 41 points, including 5-of-9 from four-point country.
Macau hopes to get the same production from Cao in its bid to upset TNT.
Days finally gets to play in the PBA
TNT brought a familiar face as its import for this conference in Darius Days. In the 2024 Govs’ Cup, Days was all set to be the Tropang 5G's reinforcement only to be replaced by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson before the start of the conference, where they went on to win the championship.
This time around, it’s clear as day that the former Houston Rocket will finally play for TNT and be able to show what he can do to the Filipino audience.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. PHOENIX SUPER LPG
When: Sunday, July 19. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Gin Kings without Brownlee
Ginebra makes its much-awaited Govs’ Cup debut after its title-clinching Comm's Cup campaign. For this conference, however, the Gin Kings will not be playing with resident import Justin Brownlee, as injuries have made him unavailable.
All eyes on Riley
With Brownlee out, Ginebra has signed Riley Grisby for the Govs’ Cup. All eyes, most of all 'NSD' fans, will be on the 26-year-old who has GLeague experience with the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Sioux Falls Skyforce and averaged 4.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20 combined games for both squads last season. Grisby played for Seattle in the U.S. NCAA where in his junior year in 2020, he averaged 17.8 points and 5.1 rebounds.
Grisby will match up against BJ Johnson, who has been impressive to start the conference with averages of 30 points and nine rebounds, while also shooting 54-percent from three-point range.
Phoenix meets Ginebra again
Phoenix looks to stay unbeaten in its third game of the conference. Last conference, the Fuel Masters were ousted in the quarterfinals by Ginebra, which eventually won the title. For sure, Phoenix is looking to get a measure of revenge in this match.
Mamu debuts for Phoenix
Also on deck is the Phoenix debut of Mamuyac, whom the Fuel Masters acquired in a trade with Rain or Shine just last Thursday.
Head coach Charles Tiu is excited for the both Phoenix and Mamuyac, a bonafide two-way guard who definitely boosts the Fuel Masters' hopes to go deeper into the playoffs.
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