New teams begin campaign in PBA D-League opener

Head coach Eric Altamirano will steer new team Flying V Thunder in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Three of the four new teams will have their baptism of fire in the opening day of the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Gamboa Coffee Mix and Zark’s Jawbreakers clash in a battle of newcomers to kick things off at 3 p.m., followed by the star-studded collision between the Jeron Teng-led Flying V Thunder and reigning Aspirants’ Cup champion Cignal HD Hawkeyes at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Centro Escolar University Scorpions and Wangs Basketball tangle on May 30 at JCSGO Gym at 3 p.m., to be followed by the game between Batangas and the debuting Marinerong Pilipino at 5 p.m.

Action returns to Ynares Sports Arena the following gameday, June 1 as AMA Online Education tests its new-look roster against retooled Racal Motors at 3 p.m., while Tanduay Rhum plays Cignal HD at 5 p.m.

The Hawkeyes will have their work cut out for them playing in seven of conference’s first 10 game days to meet the required number of games necessary for PBA draft hopefuls Davon Potts and Andreas Cahilig.

Majority of the games will be held at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The teams figure in a single-round elimination with the top two squads earning outright semifinal berths.

Teams ranked three and four enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against No. 5 and No. 6, while the bottom five teams in the standings will be eliminated.

The semifinals and finals will be a best-of-three series.