Petron Blaze Boosters starts its defense of the Governor’s Cup this Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Boosters will be going up against the Powerade Tigers. Petron went head-to-head in the Finals against the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters last season in a thrilling series that reached seven games.
Petron added leading Rookie of the Year candidate Marcio Lassiter in the line-up as well as Dorian Peña. Lassiter was traded from Powerade in exchange for last season’s Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini.
The teams are beefed up by imports with a height limit of 6-5.
Powerade will be parading highly-touted player Rashad McCants while the Boosters will have Eddie Basden.
In the opening game that tips-off at 4:15pm, Alaska Aces will face Rain or Shine Elastopainters. Luigi Trillo will make his debut as the head coach of the Aces as well as new recruit Gabby Espinas. Espinas was acquired from the Meralco Bolts last week in exchange for JayR Reyes.
Import Jason Forte returns to help Alaska in improve its standings. Jamelle Cornley is the import for the Elastopainters.
The elimination round format is a single round where each team plays nine games. After playing 9 games, the last 4 teams in the standings are eliminated while the top 6 teams advance to the semifinal round.
In the semifinal round, the six teams play five games each. After five games, the top two teams advance to the Finals. However, an incentive is given to a team which wins 4 out the 5 semifinals games and gains a playoff to challenge the 2nd placed team.
The top two teams play in a seven-game series to battle for the Governor’s Cup crown.
There are 5 provincial games scheduled in the elimination round: June 2 at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (Barangay Ginebra Kings vs Meralco Bolts); June 9 at Digos City, Davao del Sur (BMEG Llamados vs Air 21 Express); June 16 at Tubod, Lanao Del Norte (Alaska Aces vs Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters); June 23 at Dumaguete City (Petron Blaze Boosters vs Rain or Shine); and on June 30 at Legazpi City, Albay (Powerade Tigers vs BMEG Llamados).
You can catch the games live on AKTV on IBC 13 starting at 4pm every Sunday. Wednesday and Friday games starts at 5pm.Saturday games begin at 645pm after the UFL matches. Encore replay of the game can be seen on HYPER (Channel 43 on Cignal Digital TV).
