AFTER a taking a long break to give way to the Philippines’ participation in the FIBA World Cup 2023 and the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) returns with its 48th season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The much-awaited Leo Awards, which will honor the top individual performers in Season 47, and the battle between TNT Tropang Giga and Magnolia Hotshots will formally raise the curtains to the 48th season of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

The eleborate opening-day ceremony is expected to celebrate the PBA’s tremendous success in Season 47, as well as the victorious campaign of the PBA-supported Gilas Pilipinas in the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The busy opening-day schedule will kick off with the Leo Awards, where the PBA Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year winners will be formally announced.

Six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, last year’s winner Scottie Thompson and Christian Standardinger of Barangay GInebra are battling for the league’s highest individual award in one of the tightest MVP races in recent years.

All three candidates each won the Best Player of the Conference award — Fajardo in the Philippine Cup, Thompson in the Commissioner’s Cup, and Standhardinger in the Governors’ Cup.

Fajardo and Thompson ended up winning the championship in the All-Filipino (San Miguel) and Commissioner’s Cup (Barangay Ginebra), respectively.

Standhardinger, on the other hand, fell short of claiming the title as the Kings finished runner-up to the TNT Tropang Giga in the season-ending conference.

A fourth nominee is CJ Perez also of San Miguel as he finished second behind Fajardo in the statiscal race with 36.1, while consistently in the running for the Best Player of the Conference award during the entire season.

Fajardo, Thompson, and Perez will also be honored as part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that captured the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, China after 61 long years.

Joining them in the awarding ceremony are Gilas teammates Japeth Aquilar, Chris Newsome, Kevin Alas, Calvin Oftana, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and Arvin Tolentino, along with the coaching staff led by Tim Cone.

Also to be given out is the Rookie of the Year plum being contested by Renato Ular, Justin Arana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Tyler Tio, and Gian Mamuyac.

Other awards at stake are the Mythical First and Second Teams, All-Defensive Team, Most Improved Player, and the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship honor.

The lone opening-day game will pit TNT and Magnolia starting at 7 p.m.

Quincy Miller, who secured his release papers from Converge at the 11th hour, is set to make his PBA return when TNT meets Magnolia.

Miller will temporarily bolster TNT’s roster while original import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson recuperates from an ailment.

Both Miller and Hollis-Jefferson served as TNT’s imports in the current East Asia Super League season.

Tyler Tarik Bey will banner the Hotshots, who are hoping to build on their impressive 11-0 showing in the PBA On Tour.

Schedule:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Leo Awards
7 p.m. — Magnolia vs. TNT