La Salle coach Topex Robinson with his new recruits. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle-EcoOil defends its PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown under new coach Topex Robinson as the 2023 season fires off with an eight-team field starting on April 27 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Robinson, a former coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, will be calling the shots for the Green Archers in their title retention bid.
He was appointed as the new La Salle coach four months ago, replacing Derrick Pumaren, who steered the school to a D-League title last year.
La Salle will face a tall order this season with the “three-peat” NCAA champion Letran joining the eight-team cast.
Last year’s runner-up Marinerong Pilipino will be bannered by the San Beda Red Lions. Also joining the pre-season action are AMA Online Education, Centro Escolar University-Cafe France, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, St. Clare, and newcomer Philippine Sports Performance Fitness Gym.
Marinerong Pilipino, led by Conference MVP Juan Gomez de De Liaño, lost to La Salle last year after yielding in a do-or-die Game 3.
Representatives of the eight teams on Tuesday attended the coaches’ meeting at PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City.
The teams will clash in single-round robin eliminations with the top two squads earning outright tickets to the semifinals.
The third to sixth-ranked squads will play in the quarterfinals with the No.3 and No.4 teams enjoying twice-to-beat incentives.
The Final Four will clash in a best-of-three series before the survivors clash in another race-to-two-wins Finals.