Amidst a sea of uncertainty, the PBA's 46th Season will finally set sail on July 16 with a triple-header to open the Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The league released the elimination round schedule on Wednesday, with games set to run until August 27 before the playoffs commence.
It matters not anymore that the start of the season got pushed back further and further - and further and further. Some even had doubts that it would push through at all. Yet, here we are, awaiting the starting gun to begin an All-Filipino race to the finish line.
Of course, defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is here, and will remain here, as is many-time champion before it San Miguel Beermen. They are, perhaps, the favorites.
That doesn't mean, though, that it will be a cakewalk for them. The other teams are as hungry as ever, with new recruits and impactful player movements making the field wide open. All win-loss records will, after all, start at 0-0.
While there are always potentially colossal contests such as the ever-interesting Manila Clasico between Ginebra and Magnolia, the aforementioned new faces in different places make for matchups that all of us just can't miss. Here are but a few of them:
Finals rematch AND Finals preview? - Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs. TNT Tropang Giga (Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m.)
The rematch of last year's "bubble" Finals should be one of the most, if not the most, anticipated games of the new season. Runner-up TNT would surely look to bounce back and show everyone that it's still a top-tier team while defending champ Ginebra would look to continue drubbing the competition and asserting itself as the league's boss.
For the Tropang Giga, there are players who are aiming to redeem themselves after a subpar performance, Troy Rosario being top of mind. And even without Best Player of the Conference contender Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., TNT's proficiency should not diminish as long as fourth overall pick Mikey Williams is available and ready to strut his stuff.
Then there's the Gin Kings' new formidable frontline in Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar that should give the Tropang Giga fits, unless out-of-retirement Kelly Williams is up to the task of helping JP Erram defend either or both. Maybe most of all, let's not forget the duel on the sidelines between two of the best to ever call the shots in the PBA: winningest Tim Cone, on a quest to reinforce Ginebra as season-long favorites, and comebacking Chot Reyes, on his second go-round with a TNT side that had its best run when he was at the helm.
It's a new day with CJ - San Miguel Beermen vs. Meralco Bolts (July 18, 2:00 p.m.)
The Beermen were the lords of the Philippine Cup - the key word being, "were." They were untouchable from 2014-19, but for this tournament, they are entering as contenders, not defending champions.
Still, the championship core of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, and Marcio Lassiter remains, further reinforced by former no. 1 pick CJ Perez. Perez adds athleticism and raw talent with an exciting style of play perhaps not seen in a San Miguel uniform since the days of Samboy Lim, but how would he fit on a team with talent overflowing like a leaky keg of Pale Pilsen? Also, Fajardo hasn't been publicly seen on a basketball court since January 2020. How will he look? We shall soon find out.
Simply put, it would be interesting to see how San Miguel begins its campaign in a conference it probably feels it still owns, at least to a certain extent.
The return of Robert Bolick - Northport Batang Pier vs. Meralco Bolts (July 16, 6:00 p.m.)
Robert Bolick was one of the rising stars in his rookie season and showed fine form in an otherwise dismal Philippines campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Fans salivated as to what he could do in the PBA after that experience, but unfortunately, an ACL injury had him crashing back down to earth.
Bolick then missed the Season 45 "bubble" rehabilitating his right knee. Now, he is ready and raring to go, and that could spell trouble for opponents.
While his re-debut may not define how he would perform the rest of the way, it should give an idea about his physical state as well as mental health post-injury. That in itself makes his return game one to anticipate.
The Beast and his former friends - Magnolia Hotshots vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters (July 17, 4:35 p.m.)
Phoenix performed admirably in the Season 45 "bubble," almost making it to the Finals. Matthew Wright was, perhaps, the best player in that tournament, but a huge chunk of the Fuel Masters' success should also be attributed to latecomer Calvin Abueva, whom the league allowed to play after serving a long suspension, a few games into the conference.
The fiery energizer's impact was immediate and felt league-wide. He was the most under control he has ever been in his basketball career, all while exhibited leadership and playmaking skills rarely before seen. His points and rebounds were always expected, but his assist totals were outstanding.
Despite that sterling performance, he is no longer with Phoenix. Rather, he is now with Magnolia - a team searching for its identity post-PJ Simon and Marc Pingris, looking for a third player to create a big three with Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang.
Remember though, Phoenix is no pushover, after acquiring tough as nails and always reliable Chris Banchero as well as "The Muscleman" Vic Manuel, who does a lot of what Abueva does. Expect nothing less than a physical encounter for this one, just the way fans like it.
A tale of two top picks - Terrafirma Dyip vs. NorthPort Batang Pier (Aug. 11, 12:30 p.m.)
While these two teams are not among the usual suspects, there is indeed something exciting about battles between lower-ranked squads, particularly because they fight tooth and nail to stay away from the bottom to at least say they were not last.
Things may be different this time around, however, as both Terrafirma and NorthPort have some interesting pieces in their lineups. Of particular interest would be the matchup of the first and second picks in the last PBA Draft - Joshua Munzon for the Dyip and Jamie Malonzo for the Batang Pier.
Yearly, young blood is infused into the heart of teams to either jumpstart or rejuvenate them, and these two gentlemen might just be what the doctor ordered for Terrafirma and NorthPort to seriously contend. Munzon and Malonzo know that the hype would only go so far as they take it. It should be interesting to see where exactly that is.
A few more games that should pique the interest of fans is the Alaska-Phoenix tiff with Vic Manuel looking to flex his muscles against his former team and the much-anticipated debut of Mikey Williams, the ready-made replacement for Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., for TNT.
A new start, a new season, a breath of fresh air in the midst of a pandemic, a sports spectacle for all to witness - even only on a screen, for now. The PBA is coming. Let's get to it.