EXPECT another exciting action when the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup comes off the wraps today with a regular doubleheader at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Exactly a week after the successful Game 7 between Barangay Ginebra and Bay Area in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a record crowd of nearly 55,000 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the PBA returns with a doubleheader pitting Meralco against Rain or Shine in the curtainraiser at 4:30 p.m. and Converge against NorthPort in the mainer at 6:45 p.m.

The two games will showcase four highly-rated imports — two new and two old faces– who are expected to carry the scoring load for their respective teams in this season-ending conference.

Meralco, which is hoping to redeem itself after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the recent Commissioner’s Cup, is bringing back import KJ McDaniels, while Rain or Shine is tapping balik-import Michael Qualls.

McDaniels powered NLEX to the semifinals of the 2021 Governors’ Cup and had a decent showing for Meralco after being tapped as a replacement import in the last conference.

Qualls, a replacement for Mychal Ammons, averaged 33.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 11 games in leading NorthPort to the semifinals of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup against Barangay Ginebra.

Both NorthPort and Converge have decided to pin their hopes on new imports, with the Batang Pier taking in Marcus Weathers and Converge signing up Ethan Rusbatch.

Weathers is a 6-5 forward played for the Miami Redhawks and Duquesne Dukes during college, while Rusbatch is a 6-5 shooting guard from New Zealand who saw action for the Lincoln Trail College in the US.

NorthPort is also introducing several changes to the team this conference, with Bonnie Tan taking over as head coach and Pido Jarencio moving up as the team manager.

Tan is fresh from leading the Letran Knights to three straight NCAA championships.

The Batang Pier will also parade Fil-Am Joshua Munzon, a 6-4 small forward from Long Beach, California.

Munzon, who was selected as the No. 1 pick by Terrafirma during the 2020 PBA Draft, was acquired by NorthPort from the Dyip in exchange for former UST gunner Kevin Ferrer.

A naturalized player, Munzon averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 strals in nine games with Terrafirma.

Aside from McDaniels, Qualls and Justin Brownlee of Ginebra, the other returning imports are Shawn Glover (Blackwater), Du’Vaughn Maxwell (Phoenix), and Cameron Clark (San Miguel).

Joining Weathers and Rusbatch in the list of new imports are Jordan Williams (Terrafirma), Erik McCree (Magnolia), Jalen Hudson (TNT) and Jonathon Simmons (NLEX).

PBA analysts said Simmons has the most impressive credentials, having played 258 games in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Based on official schedule, the PBA will play games every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Games Sunday:

(Philsports Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Meralco vs. Rain or Shine
6:45 p.m. — Converge vs. NorthPort