Hotshots take on Enforcers in PBA Governors Cup opener

Game Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Phoenix

7 p.m. – Mahindra vs Star

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association, done with its part in the just concluded FIBA OQT, resumes its 2015-16 season with the opening of the Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.

The Star Hotshots and old, champion import Marqus Blakely begin chase of another title run in the season-ending tourney versus the Mahindra Enforcers and their import James White in their 7 p.m. tiff.

Meralco and Phoenix Petroleum clash in the opening game at 4:15 p.m. with the Fuel Masters parading an overhauled lineup under new coach Ariel Vanguardia.

Then it’s a busy weekend with back-to-back double-headers set at the MOA Arena on Saturday and at the Big Dome on Sunday.

On Saturday, Blackwater and NLEX face off at 4:30 p.m. then Barangay Ginebra and Globalport square off at 6:45 p.m.

The next day, it’s Phoenix against San Miguel Beer at 4 p.m. then Alaska Milk opposite Meralco at 6:15 p.m.

Six Asian imports are joining regular reinforcements slugging it out in the tourney ruled by San Miguel Beer and import AZ Reid last year.

Reid is back for a second tour of duty with SMB, pitting his talent with Blakely, White, Alaska’s LaDontae Henton, Ginebra’s Paul Harris, Blackwater’s Eric Dawson, Globalport’s Dominique Sutton, Meralco’s Allen Durham, NLEX’s Henry Walker, Phoenix’s Marcus Simmons, Rain or Shine’s Dior Lowhorn and Talk n Text’s Mario Little.

The Asian imports are Syrian Imad Qahwash for Blackwater, Palestine Omar Krayem for Globalport, Iranian Mohammad Jamshidi for Meralco, Lebanese Rodrigue Akl for NLEX, Korean Lee Kwan Hee for Phoenix, and Syrian Michael Madanly for TNT.

Gilas players June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Ryan Reyes, Terrence Romeo and Jayson Castro have returned to their mother ball clubs. But they’re likely to rest a few days before playing in the Governors Cup.