Meralco faces Phoenix in opener
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Phoenix 7 p.m. – Mahindra vs Star A returning coach and a rookie mentor will make their debuts as action in the PBA resumes today with the start of the season-ending Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ariel Vanguardia, back after finding success overseas, leads Phoenix as it battles Meralco in the curtain raiser at 4:15 p.m. while unheralded Chris Gavina steers Mahindra against a retooled Star squad in the 7 p.m. nightcap. Hoping to find the winning formula in only its second conference in the pro loop, Phoenix decided to let go of coach Koy Banal in place of Vanguardia, who in 2003 acted as an interim coach for Talk ‘N Text and a mentor of Jose Rizal University in the NCAA from 2006 to 2009. (L) Ariel Vanguardia and (R) Chris Gavina Vanguardia’s stock boost last March [...]