MANILA, Philippines — NLEX has assembled another all-star crew in the Road Warriors’ bid for a fourth straight PBA D-League championship starting Oct. 23.
Bannered by Ateneo stars Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva, the Road Warriors remain favored in the 11-team cast in the Aspirants’ Cup that also includes debuting teams Jose Rizal University, Informatics and Fruitas.
“The field is very balanced this season,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “Every team is capable of winning.
“Our goal is the same as the previous conferences—to win the championship. But with a relatively new team, it will take a great effort to achieve our goal.”
The Road Warriors lost seven key cogs to the pros, including Cliff Hodge, the MVP of the previous conference.
Slaughter, Salva and Oping Sumalinog, fresh from the Blue Eagles’ fifth UAAP title romp, will team up with other collegiate stars led by Letran’s Kevin Alas, Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia, San Sebastian’s Ian Sangalang and Adamson’s Eric Camson.
After the league formally opens with a 1 p.m. ceremony, Informatics kicks off its campaign against the Cagayan Rising Suns at 2 p.m., while Boracay Rum takes on Cebuana Lhuillier at 4 p.m.
Completing the field are Blackwater Sports, Café France, Erase Xfoliant and last conference runner-up Big Chill.
Teams clash in a single round with the top two teams earning outright semifinal berths, while the next four squads tangle in the quarterfinals.