Ginebra, San Miguel set for PBA 50th Season clash in Dubai on October 26

The spotlight shifts to Dubai on October 26 as powerhouse clubs San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra collide in the PBA’s 50th Season Philippine Cup.

The Beermen, who reclaimed the All-Filipino crown last July by spoiling TNT's Grand Slam bid, will take on the Gin Kings at the Coca-Cola Arena at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. Philippine time) as part of their title defense. 

This won’t be Dubai’s first taste of PBA action. Six years ago, the city hosted games that saw San Miguel and Ginebra face NLEX in separate outings during the 2019 Governors' Cup. 

The Beermen pulled off a 98-94 win against the Road Warriors behind import Dez Wells before NLEX bounced back with a 113-11 overtime victory against the Gin Kings. 

This time around, San Miguel and Ginebra will get to play against each other in Dubai. 

San Miguel is looking to retain the Philippine Cup crown following a grueling campaign in the previous edition, which saw the wards of head coach Leo Austria turn back the Tropang 5G in a best-of-seven finals series. 

The Beermen will once again lean on reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, who remains at the core together with core teammates Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Marcio Lassiter, and Don Trollano.

Ginebra, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after two runner-up finishes last season, falling to TNT in both the Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup. In Season 49 Philippine Cup, the Gin Kings sustained a heartbreaking semifinals exit after losing to San Miguel in seven games. 

Aside from Dubai, the PBA had also bared that games will be held in Bahrain to mark the league's golden anniversary. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News