By Argie Paul Candare
More than a month after the crowning of Philippine Cup champ, the Philippine Basketball Association starts the import-laden Governors’ Cup with a double-header this December 8 (Wednesday).
At 3 p.m., the Alaska Aces and NorthPort Batang Pier eye their first win to ignite a strong campaign.
The Aces, who are coming-off a non-playoff finish in the last conference, hope that Olu Ashaolu will be the key for a better tourney outing.
On the other hand, the Batang Pier, featuring import Cameron Forte and newly acquired veteran forward Arwind Santos, will try to rebound from a quarterfinal exit in the last All-Filipino Cup.
Rounding-up the schedule, the NLEX Road Warriors and San Miguel Beermen will measure gears in the second game at 6 p.m.
After stretching the series against Meralco Bolts, the Road Warriors came up short in their bid for a semifinal slot. They will be headed by high-flying reinforcement KJ McDaniels
The Beermen will parade Brandon Brown and a younger line-up obtained through various transactions this offseason.
All games up to December 12 will be held at Ynares Arena, Pasig based on the schedule released by the PBA.
Meanwhile, the TNT Tropang Giga acquired Carl Bryan Cruz from Blackwater Bossing in exchange for veteran Jay Washington, along with a 2022 and 2025 second-round pick.
Cruz, who was part of the 2016 Gilas Special Draft, played for the struggling Bossing for two years after getting traded from Alaska Aces.