The battle between fan favorites San Miguel and Ginebra are among the matches to watch out for in Group B play in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.
There are a lot of changes the PBA is implementing for Season 49.
Among them, and probably the most intriguing having drawn mixed reactions from fans, is the four-point line.
But innovations such as this are always met with resistance.
[RELATED STORY: PH Cup champ Meralco vs Magnolia: Make time for this Group A game and more in the PBA Governors' Cup]
With the league playing six game days every week this Governors' Cup, it would not take long before fans and pundits alike could pass their verdicts with these new rules.
For now, One Sports looks into some of the intriguing matchups in Group B action this conference:
[ALSO READ: Alfrancis Chua gives honest take on mixed reactions drawn from PBA's adoption of four-point line]
Blackwater vs Rain or Shine
August 20, 5 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Sedrick Barefield is finally making his PBA debut with Blackwater.
Barefield, who suited up for the Bay Area Dragons and the Taipei Fubon Braves, is seen as the game-changer for the beleaguered squad.
The 6-foot-2 Utah Utes product could do everything on both ends of the floor. But that will be put to the test against the scrappy Elasto Painters.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Blackwater Bossing parade prized rookies, hope for better play in Governors’ Cup]
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine looks to sustain its fine play from its Philippine Cup campaign where it barged into the semifinals against San Miguel.
While the experience of the multititled Beermen prevailed in the penultimate round, the Elasto Painters bank on this experience of their youthful crew as they gun to fare better this season.
NLEX vs Blackwater
August 22, 5:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
It is the debut of nine-time PBA champion coach Jong Uichico with NLEX.
Uichico replaced Frankie Lim, with the Road Warriors hoping he could be the missing piece the Road Warriors needed to break through.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: NLEX hopes to go places with new coach Jong Uichico]
Virgil Villavicencio was also appointed as team manager.
As for the new four-point field goal, NLEX gunner Robert Bolick, is expected to take advantage of that.
Blackwater hopes to find the answer in their rookies, Barefield and DJ Mitchell.
Mitchell's credentials include playing for US NCAA Division 1 school Hartford where he averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
San Miguel vs Ginebra
September 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
It is always fun to pit two of the league’s juggernauts against each other.
This will also be the ultimate test for Ginebra newbie RJ Abarrientos. Much is expected from him, and for good reason.
Before taking his act to the PBA, Abarrientos made a splash in Korean Basketball League and eventually won Rookie of the Year honors. He also played one season in the Japan B.League with the Shinshu Brave Warriors.
[RELATED STORY: Despite trading stars in offseason, Ginebra remains a formidable team in PBA Season 49]
Former Terrafirma stars Stephen Holt and Isaac Go would also be donning their new Gin Kings threads.
Both could use their prior experience with the Dyip, when they stunned San Miguel to force a do-or-die battle in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup in a historic victory that gave the squad its first-ever playoff win.
The Beermen, on the other hand, decided to stick to their lineup save for the addition of rookie rookie Avan Nava and Kris Rosales.
[ALSO READ: PBA: San Miguel's CJ Perez, Terrence Romeo eager to avenge PH Cup heartbreak]
After all, why should one fix something that is not broken?
San Miguel, last season's Commissioner's Cup champion, will run everything through possible eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and challenge new Ginebra big Go on the post.
Rain or Shine vs San Miguel
September 19, 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
It is the rematch between the semifinalists in the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
While San Miguel made short work of Rain or Shine in the semifinals, the Elasto Painters did show potential in the best-of-seven series.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters look to build on impressive Philippine Cup semifinals run]
Rain or Shine also plugged some upgrades in its lineup since then, adding Felix Lemetti and Caelan Tiongson in a youthful crew that showed a lot of promise.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: San Miguel Beermen among favorites as season-opening Governors’ Cup draws near]
As for the Beermen, even without their new additions, they are already a powerhouse squad nonetheless.