IT'S going to be a hectic timetable for the PBA when it kicks off its Season 49 next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A total of six playdates are scheduled in the first month of the season-opener Governors' Cup as the league paves way for two major international tournaments of which the PBA is a major part.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said games will be played from Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday serving as rest day.
The compact schedule comes in the wake of Gilas Pilipinas' preparation for the second window of the Asia Cup qualifiers, along with San Miguel and Meralco's participation in the second year of the East Asia Super League (EASL) home-and-away season.
"Magiging six times a week na tayo because of Gilas and EASL," said Marcial.
Sponsored content: Game schedule remains the same though, with a doubleheader featured every day.
First game starts at 5 p.m., while the main game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Playing time for Saturday will vary though, if there is an out of town game.
"Saturday kapag provincial game tayo, 6 p.m. ang laro. Pero kapag wala, ganun pa rin ang schedule natin para uniform, para dire-diretso na," he said.
Marcial however said, the six-day playing schedule will only be good for at least a month.
Sponsored content: "Yung six days a week kung hindi ako nagkakamali isang buwan lang naman, tapos balik ulit tayo sa dati," said the commissioner.
Regular schedule returns to normal come the playoffs when games are held Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.(RG)
