New-look Magnolia battles Ginebra in PBA Season 50 opener

Sports

AN EXPLOSIVE match-up will usher in the brand-new season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

It is going to be ‘Manila Classico’ for the start of the PBA Season 50 as the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings battle the new-look Magnolia Hotshots at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The lone match-up will feature the coaching debut of LA Tenorio, who came on board to replace Chito Victolero.

Tenorio’s baptism of fire will be against Ginebra coach Tim Cone, the league’s winningest coach.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the Tenorio-Cone duel is the main reason why the league opted for a Ginebra-Magnolia encounter to kick off the season.

"Lahat naman pwede (any kind of matchup) pero pinili naman ang Ginebra-Magnolia for Tim Cone versus LA," said Marcial.

It is going to be an interesting coaching duel between Tenorio and Cone as they were alongside each other for a long time–a union that goes back to the Alaska Milk days.

The two were also together with Ginebra and Gilas Pilipinas.

Before the lone match, last season’s top performers will be feted through the Season 49 Leo Awards.

June Mar Fajardo, Robert Bolick, and Arvin Tolentino are the frontrunners for the most covered Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The Cebuano Fajardo is gunning for a record-extending ninth MVP award.(CCM)