BARANGAY Ginebra and San Miguel in one group, TNT and Meralco in another group.

That how things stand when the PBA adopts a new format for the coming Governors’ Cup to open its Season 49 on August 18.

The Kings and the Beermen are bunched together in Group B along with Blackwater, Phoenix, Rain or Shine, and NLEX.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga, the reigning Governors’ Cup champion, together with the Bolts lead Group A together with Converge, Northport, Terrafirma, and Magnolia.

Just last month, Commissioner Willie Marcial announced the league’s decision to adopt a new format for its season-opening conference.

Under the setup, teams in each group will play each other twice in a double-round robin.

The top four teams from each group then advance to the crossover quarterfinals, with No. 1 taking on No. 4 and No. 2 battling No. 3 in a best-of-five series.

The semifinals and finals will both be best-of-seven affairs.

The format for the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup will remain the same, though.

TNT won the last edition of the Governors’ Cup in 2023, with Best Import winner Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leading the team against Justine Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra.