Losing his top playmaker the past two conferences isn’t a cause for worry for Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac as the Elite make their debut in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup against Café France today at Ynares Sports Arena.
Isaac believes Allan Mangahas is capable of filling the void left by Jeric Fortuna, who left the team to try his luck in the Asean Basketball League, when the Elite clash with the Bakers at 12 noon.
Jumbo Plastic and Boracay Rum look to bounce back from opening-day losses when they battle Hogs Breath and Informatics, respectively.
Going by the moniker Razorbacks, Hogs Breath will be bannered by Letran standouts Kevin Racal and Jonathan Belorio as well as Lyceum gunner Chris Cayabyab when it faces Jumbo Plastic at 2 p.m.
Informatics, starring University of Santo Tomas hotshot Jeric Teng, Letran center Jam Cortes and Arellano guard Rocky Acidre, collides with Boracay Rum at 4 p.m.
A wily playmaker with a smooth shooting touch, Mangahas played for Isaac while he was with the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA and the veteran coach is confident he can take charge.
“Allan [Mangahas] will now be in charge at the point,” said Isaac. “I think the team will be in good hands under the leadership of Allan. He knows his teammates well.”
Café France coach Egay Macaraya continues to rue the departure of two key cogs from last conference.
“I really have no idea right now. We’re a new and young team,” said Macaraya, who lost shooters Roger Pogoy and Alvin Padilla to Fruitas and Cebuana, respectively.
The Bakers showed plenty of promise last conference, but a string of losses late in the elimination round spoiled their bid for a playoff berth.