THREE provincial games cap the return of the PBA Governors' Cup including a revisit to the venue that produced a full-house crowd in one of the out-of-town trips last season.
Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine kick off the provincial sortie in Season 49 as they clash in Candon, Ilocos Sur on August 24.
Last April, TNT and NLEX played before a jampacked crowd at Candon City Arena as Calvin Oftana exploded for 37 points in a 104-101 come-from-behind win by the Tropang Giga during the Philippine Cup.
The Ilocos Sur game marks the season debut of the Kings, who will parade for the first time rookies RJ Abarrientos and Paul Garcia along with new acquisitions Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.
A week after, the league goes to Cagayan de Oro for the game between San Miguel and NLEX.
Sponsored content: Then it's off to Panabo City in Davao on Sept. 7 when All-Filipino champion Meralco tangles with Magnolia.
Commissioner Willie Marcial bared the Board of governors were actually looking to stage a total of eight provincial games in the conference, but had to limit it to just three as the league has to give way to the campaign of Gilas Pilipinas in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
"Gusto namin dati gawing walo. Pero dahil sa Gilas magsa-sakripisyo ang PBA. Magbibigay pugay kami sa Gilas," said Marcial, adding the league will take a brief break in November in time for the national team's campaign in the Asia Cup. (RG)
