CONSIDERED as among the teams to beat, reigning NCAA two-time champion Wangs Basketball@26-Letran and defending five-time NAASCU titlist Adalem Construction-St. Clare are keen on launching their title bids on a rousing note.
Which squad would achieve its immediate goal will be known when the Knights tackle the Saints today as the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup begins at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match kicking off the developmental league’s new season after a two-year hiatus due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic is set at 10:30 a.m.
Centro Escolar University, now under coach Chico Manabat, clashes with AMA Online in the other game at 12:30 p.m.
Wangs Basketball@26-Letran coach Bonnie Tan said his charges are still finding their form.
“Medyo kulang pa ang preparations namin,” Tan said. “We just resumed practicing this week, so mate-test talaga iyong tibay ng mga bata.”
The Knights will bank on veterans Fran Yu and Brent Paraiso as they try to do an encore after annexing their second straight crown in the country’s oldest collegiate league two months ago.
NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando is doubtful for Wangs due to his commitment with the Gilas Pilipinas crew set to see action in the FIBA Asia Cup next week in Indonesia.
MVP Johnsherick Estrada, John Rojas, and Senegalese center Babacar Ndong will carry the fight for Adalem Construction-St. Clare.
“Bata iyong team, ang importante lang sa atin na makita iyong palag nila,” Manabat, who took over at the helm of the Scorpions from Jeff Napa, said.
CEU will lean on Franz Diaz and Dave Bernabe.
Kings strategist Mark Herrera said his team is out to show it is no pushover.
“Opportunity ito para makapagpakita kami na kaya namin sumabay sa ibang teams,” he said.
