NEWLY appointed NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag makes his much-awaited debut when the Road Warriors kick off the opening of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on July 10 against foreign guest squad Macau at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Macau, which now carries a new moniker Giant Pandas, test the mettle of Alapag and the Road Warriors in the main game at 7:30 p.m.
The 48-year-old Alapag is armed with rich NBA experience following his three-year stint as player development coach for the Sacramento Kings from 2023-2026.
NLEX management is hopeful that Alapag’s coaching experience in the world’s most popular basketball league could benefit the Road Warriors to redeem themselves following a disappointing ending in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Armed with the top seed and twice-to-beat incentive, NLEX blew its playoff advantage after losing back-to-back games to TNT en route to bombing out of contention.
On the other hand, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra face off in the curtain-raiser on opening day at 5:15 p.m.
Magnolia, reinforced by KJ Buffen, takes on Phoenix, which will have BJ Johnson as its import in their July 11 encounter at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
The opening game that day features Rain or Shine, reinforced by comebacking import Aaron Fuller, and the Kentrell Barkley-led Blackwater.
High-scoring import George King, meantime, plays his first game as a San Miguel Beerman on July 14 when the league’s all-time winningest squad faces the Giant Pandas at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra sees action for the first time in the conference on July 19 against Phoenix, while TNT, which will defend its Governors’ Cup crown, battles Macau.Both games will be played at the Araneta Coliseum.
