MAGNOLIA and last season's Philippine Cup champion Meralco spice up the kickoff game of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Sunday as the pro league has high hopes of posting a banner year in the 2024-25 season.

The Hotshots, last season's Commissioner's Cup runners-up, will take on the Bolts, who after a number of Finals heartbreaks, finally, punched in the franchise's very first league title after beating the San Miguel Beermen in the All-Filipino conference Finals.

The Purefoods franchise will parade 2017 NBA Slam Dunk champion Glenn Robinson III, who will be tested by three-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham in the two teams' scheduled 7:30 p.m. marking the only game for the season-opener.

Before the basketball hostilities, the pro league will hold the 48th season Leo Awards which starts at 4 p.m., where the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Mythical Teams, All-Defensive Team, Most Improved Player, and the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award will be handed out.

San Miguel star center June Mar Fajardo is a cinch to extend his dominance, eyeing a precedent-smashing eighth MVP award following another solid performance last season.

The formal opening ceremonies follow shortly after the Leo Award, spiced up by the traditional parade of teams together with their respective muses.

Meanwhile, also marking his debut in a Magnolia uniform is athletic big man Zavier Lucero.

The 6-foot-5 Lucero landed at the Hotshots' lap after trading spots with guard Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter, who were both shipped to the NorthPort Batang Pier last July.

The high-leaping Lucero gave a good account of himself during last season's Philippine Cup, averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists with the Batang Pier since recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) he sustained during his final UAAP season with the University of the Philippines.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said Robinson is bringing in his wealth of NBA experience to a Hotshots side that is aching to win a PBA title since its last championship during the 2018 Governors' Cup.

In fact, the amiable Magnolia mentor knows Robinson's good attitude and leadership will be key to leading the Hotshots, who also added rookie Peter Alfaro at its already loaded backcourt, along with first-round selection Jerom Lastimosa.

Alfaro is expected to learn the ropes of the pro league under veteran stars Mark Barroca and Paul Lee, while Lastimosa continues to recover from a season-ending knee injury he suffered last year while playing for the Adamson Falcons.

Magnolia though has the same veteran-laden squad that also includes the "Beast" Calvin Abueva, Rafi Reavis, Rome de la Rosa, Jerrick Ahanmisi as well as backup big men James Laput, Russel Escoto and Joseph Eriobu.

The Hotshots will be facing a Bolts side that also has a solid veteran core led by Allein Maliksi, Cliff Hodge, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black, Raymond Almazan and incoming sophomore big man Brandon Bates, who gave a good account of himself against Fajardo in last season's Philippine Cup title series.

First-round rookie pick CJ Cansino is the team's new addition for the season.