MANILA---Eight out-of-town games that will take action to as far as Tacloban and Panabo Cities have been slated in the first round of the import-spiced PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The event featuring reinforcements no taller than 6-foot-4 will actually get going with the first of those sorties on Feb. 18 in Laoag in the north before traveling to Tubod, Lanao del Norte, less than a week later for the Powerade-Derby Ace game.

Barangay Ginebra slugs it out with Meralco in the game set in Ilocos Sur.

Davao is where reigning Philippine Cup champ Talk ‘N Text and import Paul Harris will strut their stuff as the Tropang Texters clash with Air21 and super rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

The Texters return to the road on March 19, also a Saturday, to battle reigning titlist Alaska in a game which could mean so much for them after the Aces eliminated Talk ‘N Text in seven games of last season’s semifinal series.

Panabo City will feature crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra against Rain or Shine and new coach Yeng Guiao even as guest squad Smart-Gilas battles the Meralco B-Boys in Tacloban City.

The Araneta Coliseum in Cubao still cornered a huge chunk of scheduled games with the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay to host four double-headers.

San Miguel, which finished a fighting second to Talk ‘N Text in the Philippine Cup, will not have its first foray on the road until March 12 in a venue to be announced later on by the Office of the Commissioner.

Musong Castillo, Phil. Daily Inquirer