BARANGAY Ginebra makes its much-awaited debut in the Season 48 PBA Philippine Cup when it tangles with Rain or Shine on Friday, March 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Gin Kings collide with the Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m. with the latter looking to arrest a two-game slide.

Incidentally, former Ginebra playing-coach and PBA icon Robert "Sonny" Jaworski celebrates his 78th birthday on Friday.

Ginebra is out to make a strong statement in the all-Filipino conference since failing to defend its Commissioner's Cup crown and suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of eventual champion and sister team San Miguel Beer in the semis.

Season 46 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Scottie Thompson and hard-banging big man Christian Standhardinger will lead the Gin Kings' charge, along with Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi and Japeth Aguilar.

Rain or Shine opened the season with back-to-back defeats to TNT 108-107 and Meralco in overtime 121-117 where rookie guard Adrian Nocum saw his career-high 29 points go to waste.

Meanwhile, NorthPort shoots for its second straight win when it goes up against the debuting Phoenix five at 4:30 p.m.

The Batang Pier chalked up their first win after outlasting the Converge FiberXers 112-104 in overtime last Sunday.

Arvin Tolentino will again lead the way for NorthPort, along with the comebacking young forward Will Navarro and rookies Cade Flores, Fran Yun and Zav Lucero.

The 6-foot-5 Tolentino went on a tear in the first two games of the season after averaging scintillating numbers of 30 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.

The Batang Pier will be clashing with a Fuel Masters side that is coming off a semifinals stint in the Commissioner's Cup, marking the first time Phoenix reached the Final Four since the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup under then coach Louie Alas.