TNT-Magnolia game to kick off PBA Season 48

The PBA Season 48 kicks off its opening day with powerhouse squads TNT and Magnolia Chicken Timplados colliding in the lone game for the Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, November 5 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both teams are looking to come out with a strong showing in the hope of ending their respective title droughts in the import-spiced conference.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Before the titanic match, the PBA will be handing out individual awards who stood out from the previous season via the 47th Season Leo Awards at 4 p.m. before being followed by the opening ceremonies at 5 p.m.

Defending champion Barangay Ginebra will face off with Magnolia on Nov. 19 at the Big Dome to mark the first 'Manila Clasico' of the season.

Magnolia’s James Laput (left) battles for the rebound against TNT players during the PBA on Tour on June 16, 2023 at the Ynares Sports Arena. PBA PHOTO

The Tim Cone-mentored Ginebra and TNT will also clash on Christmas Day, preceding the first game of the doubleheader that features San Miguel and Phoenix Super LPG.

This year marks the first time the PBA will start the new season with the Commissioner's Cup, veering away from the usual Philippine Cup.

Originally, the purpose was to highlight the return of the foreign squad Bay Area Dragons, who, last season, placed a strong second behind eventual champions Barangay Ginebra Kings after engaging in an epic seven-game Finals series that also drew a record crowd at the Philippine Arena.

The Dragoons team, however, got dissolved over a month ago due to a “conflict of interest” with

TNT will be bannered once more by balik-import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is coming off a busy calendar that saw him reinforce Jordan in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila last September, as well as the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The 28-year-old Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan to a silver medal finish in the Asiad, behind the Justin Brownlee-led Gilas Pilipinas, which ended the Philippines' long 61-year basketball title drought in the quadrennial games.

The former Portland Trailblazers forward led TNT to the 2022-23 Governors' Cup crown last April, en route to earning the Best Import award as well.

The left-handed Jordan naturalized player will be ranged against Magnolia import Tyler Bey, who earned a reputation in college as a defensive player.

The Tropang Giga though will miss the services of big men Justin Chua and Poy Erram, who are still recovering from surgery.