MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra’s coach, Tim Cone, acknowledged that when the team returned to the court to pursue its next goal—winning the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup for a third consecutive year—it would encounter some rocky patches.

The days following the Dragons’ defeat, Cone told the Inquirer, “We were at such a high level playing Bay Area in the [Commissioner’s Cup] Finals that it will be difficult to achieve that level when we return to practice in the new conference.”

In addition, teams are assembling to defeat the Kings, including TNT, who strengthened its lineup with the addition of a player from sister team NLEX.

Big man Justin Chua received a fresh start after seeing less playing time with the Road Warriors after his trade to the marquee team of the MVP Group received approval from the league’s trading committee.

Paul Varilla will join Chua at TNT, which will also receive the second-round draft pick from NLEX for the upcoming year. However, because the PBA forbids teams owned by a single entity from making direct transactions, Phoenix had to get involved for the deal to go through.

Phoenix traded TNT for J-Jay Alejandro, Raul Soyud, and a future pick in the 52nd season while releasing veteran forward Sean Anthony and sending Jake Pascual to NLEX.

With Chua joining former NLEX mainstays Poy Erram and Calvin Oftana at the Tropang Giga camp, NLEX has now sent a top-tier player to TNT three times since 2020.

Erram was traded to the Road Warriors in February 2020 after just one season there, while Oftana, who under former NLEX coach Yeng Guiao developed into a key attacking weapon, was dealt to the Tropang Giga prior to the most recent Commissioner’s Cup.

The Tropang Giga selected high-scoring guard Mikey Williams with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 Draft, which NLEX also gave to TNT.

After seven arduous games, Ginebra defeated the visitors from Hong Kong, sealing the deal in front of 54,589 spectators at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. This victory may have been the most satisfying for Cone since taking over as manager of the nation’s most well-liked team.

Paul Varilla will join Chua at TNT, which will also receive the second-round draft pick from NLEX for the upcoming year. However, because the PBA forbids teams owned by a single entity from making direct transactions, Phoenix had to get involved for the deal to go through.

Phoenix traded TNT for J-Jay Alejandro, Raul Soyud, and a future pick in the 52nd season while releasing veteran forward Sean Anthony and sending Jake Pascual to NLEX.

With Chua joining former NLEX mainstays Poy Erram and Calvin Oftana at the Tropang Giga camp, NLEX has now sent a top-tier player to TNT three times since 2020.

Erram was traded to the Road Warriors in February 2020 after just one season there, while Oftana, who under former NLEX coach Yeng Guiao developed into a key attacking weapon, was dealt to the Tropang Giga prior to the most recent Commissioner’s Cup.

The Tropang Giga selected high-scoring guard Mikey Williams with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 Draft, which NLEX also gave to TNT.

Seven tough games later, Ginebra defeated the Hong Kong visitors, clinching the victory in front of 54,589 spectators at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. This victory may have been the most satisfying for Cone since taking over as manager of the nation’s most well-liked club.