Of debuts and happy returns

Allen Durham (center) returns for Meralco and will renew his rivalry with old tormentor Justin Brownlee (right) of Barangay Ginebra. —PBA IMAGES

The resumption of Allen Durham’s role as Meralco import and the intrigue surrounding Magnolia reinforcement and former NBA Slam Dunk champion Glenn Robinson III on opening day are among the debuts and happy returns that will mark the first week of action in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

After the lone game of the league’s opening night on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the rest of the week features a first glimpse of how rookies are going to fare, veterans in new uniforms and a mixture of new and returning imports expected to put their respective teams in strong positions to compete.

“He’s a bit older, but we’re happy that he’s here,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said of Durham, who will gun for his first PBA title with the Bolts. “He knows the league and we know what AD can do.”

Sedrick Barefield takes the floor on Tuesday for his much anticipated first PBA game, as the second overall pick in the Rookie Draft leads Blackwater against Rain or Shine at the Big Dome.

Rave reviews

Barefield has been getting rave reviews from Bossing coach Jeffrey Cariaso in the team’s buildup, while those familiar with the globetrotting former NBA G-League cager see him as a must-watch talent.

“Barefield is really good. Keep your eyes on him all season long,” said Greek basketball reporter Christos Tsaltas, responding to an Inquirer video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Barefield at the PBA media day.

Rain or Shine parades two of its first-round picks in Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti, who, unlike Barefield, will have to put on a lot of work to prove why the Elasto Painters selected him in the first round despite being under the radar of most scouts.

Second overall pick Sedrick Barefield has the talent to turn the fortunes of the Bossing for the better. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TNT plays NorthPort in that day’s nightcap, with Rey Nambatac donning the Tropang Giga jersey for the first time after being dealt from Blackwater in the offseason. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will also make his third tour of duty as import of the team he led to the 2023 Governors’ Cup title.

San Miguel Beer begins its redemption tour after losing to Meralco in last season’s Philippine Cup Finals against Phoenix on Wednesday at Araneta, with import Jordan Adams and late first-rounder Avan Nava, who inked a one-year deal after weeks of negotiations.

Phoenix fields its fourth overall selection, Kai Ballungay, the Ateneo product who coach Jamike Jarin compares to Troy Rosario with his height and versatility.

Change of scenery

Also on Wednesday, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle join Juami Tiongson in leading Terrafirma against Converge as the two begin life with a perennial doormat after winning multiple championships with Barangay Ginebra.

Speaking of Ginebra, its Governors’ Cup campaign opens on Aug. 24 in Candon, Ilocos Sur, against Rain or Shine as coach Tim Cone finally gets the chance to show everyone why he traded with the Dyip to have Stephen Holt and Isaac Go and rookie RJ Abarrientos.

The Candon visit puts Justin Brownlee back playing for Ginebra after 17 months, hoping to add more to the six championships he brought to the league’s most popular team.

Other games slated for the first week are NLEX-Blackwater and TNT-Meralco on Thursday and Terrafirma-NorthPort plus Magnolia-Converge the following day.