MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine Basketball Association released a newly-revised Season 48 Philippine Cup schedule on Friday, which will now feature two-time league Most Valuable Player James Yap making his debut in a Blackwater uniform against Meralco on February 28 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Bossing-Bolts game is set at 4:30 p.m., followed by the TNT-Rain or Shine match at the nightcap at 7:30 p.m. on opening night.

The double-header was originally pegged on March 1, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Under the original schedule also released by the pro league to media on Thursday, the opening day was supposed to feature Terrafirma going up against Converge, followed by the Robert Bolick-led NLEX and NorthPort at the Ynares Center.

Other revisions include Blackwater and TNT facing off on Saturday, March 2 followed by Rain or Shine and Meralco in the main game.

That double-header will take the spot of the matches between NLEX and Terrafirma as well as Converge and NorthPort, which have been moved to Sunday, March 3.

In addition, San Miguel Beer and Meralco will collide in Batangas City on May 4, Saturday, part of the weekend double-header, with the first game scheduled at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.

The 6-foot-2 Yap, who turned 42 last week, joined the Bossing early this February after signing a one-year deal, which included an endorsement deal.

The seven-time PBA champion is expected to serve as mentor to the younger players of Blackwater, a team that's in transition as it continues to adapt into the system of Jeff Cariaso, who will be calling the shots in just his second conference.

Yap is coming off a seven-year stint with Rain or Shine, before seeking his release late last January.

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