D-League Aspirants Cup gets going today at Ynares

The PBA D-League takes the lid off another season today with a double-header featuring PBA draft prospects ushering the Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Bannered by a strong backcourt rotation, Café France opens its bid against Cagayan Valley even as newcomers Derulo Accelero and Zambales M-Builders clash in the main game at 4 p.m.

A brief opening ceremony gets the 14-team tournament going with incoming PBA chair Ramon Segismundo of Meralco expected to grace the affair, together with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud and outgoing PBA chair Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra.

With his team just scrambling to prepare for the tournament, cohesion remains a concern for Café France coach Egay Macaraya.

Macaraya is also bracing himself for a roster change after the PBA Draft with Eluid Poligrates, Chris Exciminiano and Jens Knuttel as well as scoring forward Mike Parala making themselves available for the Nov. 3 PBA Rookie Draft.

“Management decision was to take the risk and decide later on their replacement,” Macaraya said.

“It’s very hard to accelerate trust and getting to know each other in a short period of time,” Macaraya said. “I don’t know what to expect from a new team like ours knowing that they have yet to jell. We’ll just hope for the best and try to improve every game.”

The Bakers are also facing a Cagayan Valley team that revamped its roster.

Arellano’s John Pinto and Prince Caperal, Adamson’s Don Trollano, and Mapua’s Kenneth Ighalo and JRU’s Michael Mabulac have been tapped by the Rising Suns, who retained Mark Bringas and shooters Adrian Celeda and Jason Melano.

Former PBA player Paolo Mendoza will call the shots for the Oilers, whose lineup is led by former University of the Philippines players.

The Builders, on the other hand, will have Far Eastern University stalwarts Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Gryann Mendoza and Bryan Cruz as well as ex-Perpetual Help gunner Jett Vidal.