Wait’s over, it’s game time

MANILA, Philippines — It’s neither the season opener nor the conference kickoff but it certainly feels like one.

Most so for squads like NLEX and defending champion TNT that have to fast track the integration of new imports in time for today’s resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup after a 53-day break.

The Road Warriors brought in Deonte Burton – an old ward of coach Jimmy Alapag during his previous NBA and G-League stints – following the gruesome leg injury that downed DeQuan Jones last Aug. 11 prior to the long hiatus.

Burton hits the road at 5:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as NLEX (7-2) battles Macau (2-6), a squad that also made a switch in reinforcement.

Taking over from De’Vondre Perry for the Giant Pandas is Oscar Lopez, a 6-foot-4 forward out of DePaul who played as one of Cambodia’s naturalized players against Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh.

The Tropang 5G (4-4) unleash their new guy Nick Hornsby at 7:30 p.m. against Terrafirma (3-5).

Hornsby is TNT’s third import, manning the fort while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson prepares for his return from Achilles injury.

Familiarity between Alapag and the 6-foot-4 Burton from their previous collaboration with the Sacramento and Stockton Kings gives the Road Warriors good vibes heading to the next stretch.

“Having someone like DB who has NBA experience and the fact that we spent time together both in the G League and the NBA, I have a lot of confidence in how he’ll help our team,” said Alapag.

As for TNT, the hope is for the hard-working Hornsby to spark the climb from its current position at No. 4.

“I like to call myself an all-around player and whatever my coach and my teammates need me to do, I’ll do it. Hopefully we’ll get some wins and get ourselves in a good position for the playoffs,” he said.