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Finalists Phoenix and Cafe France emerge as the top contenders for the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup trophy, keeping their rosters intact for the second conference.
Aspirants’ Cup MVP Mac Belo returns to captain the Accelerators, where he will be joined by Mike Tolomia, Ed Daquioag, Roger Pogoy, and Russel Escoto.
The notable additions to coach Eric Gonzales’ camp are former FEU Tamaraw guard and ex-pro Jens Knuttel and bruiser Alfred Batino.
The Bakers, meanwhile, will still rely on the leadership of Paul Zamar, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Congolese big man Rob Ebondo.
Coach Egay Macaraya will still enjoy his solid CEU Scorpions core, with Mon Abundo, Samboy de Leon, and Aaron Jeruta leading the team.
Racal suffered the biggest hit on paper, losing key guys Jiovani Jalalon and Jason Perkins due to school commitments.
But coach Caloy Garcia will have to make do of what he have, securing the services of Jamil Ortuoste, Rashawn McCarthy, and Robby Celiz to join forces with Jonathan Grey and Chris Javier in the Tile Masters camp.
Coming off an impressive semifinals showing, Tanduay is also looking to build up on last year’s run with coach Lawrence Chongson acquiring Gelo Alolino and Louie Vigil to bolster his team led by veterans Rudy Lingganay and Val Acuna.
Bluestar Detergent tapped the services Juami Tiongson and Christian Palma to bolster the Malaysia Dragons side, which is expected to draw significant contribution from shooter Ma Chee Kheun.
Snipers JR Cawaling and Roider Cabrera, meanwhile, banner Topstar ZC Mindanao Aguilas, who are debuting new coach in Marvin Jade Padrigao.
AMA Online Education mentor Mark Herrera will bank on the trio of Jaycee Asuncion, Rey Publico, and Ralf
Olivarez for this upcoming campaign.
The second conference tips off on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig with Cafe France taking on Topstar ZC Mindanao at 2 p.m., followed by Tanduay going up against AMA Online Education at 4 p.m.
The tournament will be a double-round elimination, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The Finals will be a best-of-three affair.