PBA Governors’ Cup hits ground running

After more than a month on pause, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup is coming back — and it’s hitting the ground running.

The league resumes Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with a double-header that ushers in a frenetic three-day weekend: a Friday bill still at NAS, a Saturday swing at Ynares Center Antipolo, and a Sunday blast at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It’s a mere resumption on paper, but with major twists — new imports and new calls aligned with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The tournament took a break after the 14 August gameday to give way to the recently concluded 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.

Play resumes Wednesday with NLEX against Macau followed by TNT against Terrafirma, which will mark the debut of Nick Hornsby for the Tropang 5G as he takes over the import slot from Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.

On Friday at NAS, it’s Magnolia against Blackwater then Barangay Ginebra against Rain or Shine, where the Lings will unveil their own new reinforcement in Jordan Murphy.

On Saturday in Antipolo, Terrafirma mixes it up with Macau before a heavyweight clash between back-to-back Philippine Cup titlist San Miguel Beer and TNT.

Capping Week 1 Sunday at the Big Dome: Converge against Titan Ultra then Ginebra against Magnolia — a rematch with the Kings out for revenge.

The race is tight.

In Group A, titlist TNT sits at 4-4 — just good enough for fourth — while Terrafirma is breathing down its neck at 3-5. Up top, San Miguel Beer and NLEX pace at 7-2 each, followed by Converge at 5-4. Only the top four teams will advance to the crossover semifinals against Group B’s best.

Group B is even more congested: Rain or Shine leads at 4-2, followed by Magnolia 4-3, Phoenix 4-3, Blackwater 3-3, Meralco 3-5 and Ginebra 2-4.

New FIBA rules will also take effect as the league used the resumption to roll out a new set of officiating guidelines in compliance with FIBA.

“People might wonder and say we changed the rules in the middle of the season. We’re doing this so our players — especially members of Gilas — can adjust to the new FIBA rules,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said.

Marcial said unlike the new FIBA guideline, unsportsmanlike fouls are now classified into two: Flagrant fouls and disruptive fouls.