D-League: Maynilad battles Freego Jeans

MANILA—Maynilad hopes to make do without Sudan Daniel when it tangles with Freego Jeans in the first round of the playoffs of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup today at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

But the Water Dragons remain favored in the 2 p.m. knockout match due to its formidable lineup built around NCAA champion San Beda.

Junior Powerade, which recently eliminated Café France, also tries to stay alive against Blackwater at 4 p.m.

The eight remaining teams are vying to join NLEX, PC Gilmore, Cebuana Lhuillier and Max Bond Super Glue, who earned outright quarterfinal berths as bonus for topping their groups at the end of the classification phase.

Daniel, a 6-foot-8 American slotman who keyed San Beda’s title romp last year, is still recuperating from an ankle injury.

“It will not be easy for us since we are playing without Sudan,” said coach Frankie Lim.