The 2025-26 PBA season is kicking off this Sunday with the latest installment of the Manila Clasico, as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel take on the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots. Will Ginebra start its season with a win over its biggest rival? Or, will Magnolia stun the Barangay at the Smart Araneta Coliseum?

Catch this game live on Sunday,  October 5, 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Paul Lee
  • Javi Gómez de Liaño
  • Rome dela Rosario
  • Zavier Lucero
  • Ian Sangalang

The Hotshots are opening a new chapter in the franchise’s history, and it’s not just because Rafi Reavis is gone after spending the last 800 years on the team’s roster. Magnolia has moved on from Chito Victolero, with eight-time PBA champion LA Tenorio now calling the shots for the storied PBA club. 

The Hotshots were among the top teams in the previous conference, finishing the elimination phase with an 8-3 record. 

They won all of their first eight games of the conference before stumbling down the stretch. Magnolia made the playoffs but could not capitalize on a twice-to-beat advantage, falling in two games to the TNT Tropang 5G. 

But again, it’s now a new era for the Hotshots, who have a great mix of experience, even without Reavis, and young legs. The additions of Javi Gómez de Liaño and Yukien Andrada give Magnolia great flexibility and versatility, while the likes of Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca provide leadership on and off the floor.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Scottie Thompson
  • Maverick Ahanmisi
  • Stephen Holt
  • Troy Rosario
  • Japeth Aguilar

How will Ginebra look right out of the gate? That will be answered this Sunday, as the team hopes to remain competitive despite losing one of their key players. Jamie Malonzo has moved on from the Barangay (and the league) by taking his talents overseas, specifically to Japan. 

But even with Malonzo trading Philippine Peso for Japanese Yen, Ginebra still has a formidable roster. The backcourt features Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos, who should be in line for a much bigger role.  

Alongside him are Maverick Ahanmisi and former league Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson. On the wings are Stephen Holt and Jeremiah Gray, who is expected to help Ginebra fill the void left by Malonzo. Rookie Sonny Estil serves as a wild card of sorts for the Barangay. The rookie from the Letran program is an intriguing forward who turned heads when he won the MVP award in the 2025 PBA Draft Combine. 

Ginebra won eight games in the last conference, including its 85-81 victory over the Hotshots.

Picks

Spread: Magnolia (+3.5)

Over/Under: Under (190.5)