Meralco defends title as PBA Philippine Cup kicks off

The PBA Philippine Cup kicks off on Friday, April 4, with Meralco defending its title against Converge at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Terrafirma faces Phoenix in the opening game of the conference, while Meralco aims to defend its title against a Converge team bolstered by recent acquisitions and featuring young talents.

Meralco's coach Luigi Trillo emphasized the challenge ahead as his team faces short turnaround times with games against Terrafirma, San Miguel Beer, and Phoenix in the next nine days.

San Miguel remains one of the favorites for the conference, led by June Mar Fajardo, while TNT is a top contender despite recent roster changes.

Young teams like NorthPort, Converge, and Rain or Shine are seen as potential dark horses with promising lineups, while Magnolia, Phoenix, Blackwater, and Terrafirma aim to prove themselves after struggling in previous conferences.