PBA announces December 8 opening of 2021 Governors’ Cup

The PBA 2021 Governors’ Cup is set to kick off on December 8, the league announced on Monday.

The season-ending tournament was initially penciled on November 27 but suffered delays due to the late arrival of a number of foreign reinforcements because of some visa-related concerns.

The Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City is pegged to be the venue for the first two matches while the schedule of games will soon be announced in public.

However, after being a talk of the town for the past couple of weeks, the return of the live audience isn’t allowed yet. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is set to talk with the LGUs where the league will be held in hopes of getting approval for their plans to bring fans back to the venue.

“Kasalukuyan tayong nakikipagusap mga LGUs at tayo ay umasa na mapagbibigyan ang ating kahilingan na pahintulutang makapasok at makapanood ang ating mga fans ng laro,” said Marcial in an interview with PBA.ph.

Meanwhile, PBA imports such as Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, Rain or Shine’s Henry Walker, NLEX’s KJ McDaniels and Magnolia’s Mike Harris are very much anticipated to bring firepower again after their remarkable stints from the past seasons.

Other familiar names like Olu Ashaolu of Alaska, Brandon Brown of San Miguel Beer, and Paul Harris of Phoenix Super LPG are set to bolster the loaded front lines of their respective clubs while Tony Bishop of Meralco, Jaylen Bond of Blackwater, Terrafirma’s Antonio Hester, TNT’s McKenzie Moore, and NorthPort’s Cameron Forte complete the roster of reinforcements.

Aside from the Ynares Center, the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan are the venues being eyed for the import-laced conference.