MANILA – Alaska Aces will play three consecutive games this week at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga, in their comeback to the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup.
The Aces, who are currently at 11th in the rankings with a 2-4 record, will first face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17, TNT Tropang Giga at 4:35 p.m. on the 18th, and Terrafirma Dyip at 7 p.m. on the 19th.
Meralco Bolts, who are now second with a 5-2 win-loss slate, will also make its PBA return this week with two games against the Dyip on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. and Blackwater Bossing on the 18th at 2 p.m.
The Aces and the Bolts were absent in the second week of the Philippine Cup semi-bubble after entering the league’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health and safety protocols.
NorthPort Batang Pier, which is on a three-game winning streak for a 4-3 record, is staying busy this week with three games following a week off due to health and safety protocols.
The Batang Pier will tangle with Tropang Giga on Sept. 15 at 3 p.m., Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots on the 17th at 12:35 p.m., and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on the 19th at 2 p.m.
All 12 teams are back in action in the third week of the Philippine Cup’s resumption, with all squads yielding negative results from last Monday’s COVID-19 swab test.
It’s worth noting, though, that the league opted for just two games on Wednesday, Sept. 15, after scheduling triple-headers the past two Wednesdays.
Also set to play at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 were the Kings (3-5) and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (4-5), while the second game on the 16th will be between NLEX Road Warriors (4-5) and Bossing (0-9).
Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen (5-3) will face the Fuel Masters at 3 p.m. on Sept. 17 and the Hotshots (6-3) at 4:35 p.m. on the 19th./PN
