Twinbill fires off PBA D-League

CEBUANA Lhuillier hopes to sustain its winning ways even with a revamped roster as Season 3 of the PBA D-League unfolds today.

Despite losing several topnotch players, the Gems aim to start strong against Boracay Rum in their 4 p.m. duel at the start of the Aspirants’ Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“We’re still working on chemistry and teamwork,” said coach Beaujing Acot of the Gems, who lost former MVP Vic Manuel to the pro league and Letran ace Kevin Alas, to three-time champion NLEX.

“It will be very tough, but we will work hard and try to win our first game.”

Informatics, one of three teams debuting this season, takes on Cagayan in the 2 p.m. match, right after the 1 p.m. opening ceremony.

“Our goal is to be in the top four,” Informatics coach Buds Reyes said of his Icons, the Collegiate Athletics League champion bannered by Mark Montuano and Mark Doligon. “We want better exposure, that’s why we joined the league.”

Testing their readiness are the Rising Suns, who are powered by Far Eastern University’s Mark Bringas, La Salle’s Joshua Webb and former Arellano star Adrian Celada.

Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson also expects his Waves to match up well with the Gems behind Ken Acibar, Toto Bandaying and Glenn Khobuntin.

“In the absence of a rookie drafting system, I have stuck to the principle of maintaining a core group of players to hopefully offset the lack of available marquee players in our team with personnel familiarity instead,” said Chongson.

NLEX, which kicks off its bid for a fourth straight crown next week, remains a favorite with new recruits Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva of Ateneo.

“For this coming conference, all teams are very competitive,” NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre said during the league press conference yesterday at Gerry’s Grill in Ali Mall, Cubao.

“With the departure of nine of our players, definitely we’re a new team, so our concern right now is chemistry.”

Big Chill, which lost to NLEX in last conference’s finals, expects another solid run behind FEU standouts Terrence Romeo and Arvie Bringas, Adamson’s Alex Nuyles and 6-foot-9 Filipino-American rookie Isaac Holstein.

“We lost our first five but we’re satisfied that those who came in can fill the void,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.

Fruitas, another newcomer in the 11-team cast, tapped the San Beda core along with University of the Philippines’ Mike Silungan and St. Benilde’s Carlo Lastimosa.

“This is a group of young, energetic and competitive players,” said Fruitas coach Nash Racela.