MANILA, Philippines — A new-look PBA D-League season comes off wraps Monday morning at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Entering its fifth season, the league welcomes in a new era with the NLEX Road Warriors and the Blackwater Sports Elite, the only teams to win a championship in the D-League, already made the jump to the PBA.
Cafe France and new team MP Hotel, a franchise owned by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, face off in the first game of the Aspirants Cup at 12nn after the opening ceremonies set at 11:00am.
“We have a pretty good team so I really like our chances this season,” said Cafe France head coach Macaraya.
Macaraya beefed up the Bakers’ lineup with the addition of Fil-Americans Maverick Ahanmisi and Jonar Huertas, La Salle center Yutien Andrada and Tim Habelito from the draft.
“I have no idea what type of team we are up against. We haven’t seen them (MP Hotel) play. But I think we have a slight advantage with our experience. Our picks provide us with some depth but chemistry is still something that we have to work on. So far we’re doing well in practice,” Macaraya said.
In the second game, Cebuana Lhuillier tangles with another new team in Racal Motors at 2:00 pm before newcomer AMA University and Wangs Basketball slug it out at 4:00pm.
“I think we’ll give a good fight,” said AMA coach Mark Herrera.” “I know how my players play and they also know my system well so chemistry won’t be an issue.”
The Gems make themselves one of the early favorites after bringing in former pro Allan Mangahas, forwards Kevin Ferrer and Gio Ciriacruz and drafting Green Archers’ key cogs Norbert Torres and Almond Vosotros.
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