PBA D-League: Karate Kid-CEU debuts against Marinerong Pilipino

Games Monday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan)

1 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
2 p.m. – Wangs-Letran vs EcoOil-DLSU
4 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs Karate Kid-CEU

It’s a new era for Marinerong Pilipino as the only club team in the field opens up its 2020 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup campaign against Karate Kid-CEU Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Without a doubt, this is the strongest lineup the Skippers have ever trotted out since joining in 2017, with Jamie Malonzo and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano leading the pack.

And it must put added pressure on the shoulders of coach Yong Garcia to deliver, especially with Marinerong Pilipino coming off of a runner-up finish in the Foundation Cup last season.

“Blessing in disguise sa amin yung mga players, pero kailangan pa rin namin maglaro as a team,” said the soft-spoken mentor ahead of the first conference where the Skippers are regarded as one of the heavy favorites.

The Scorpions, on the other hand, are bracing for new a start as well with coach Jeff Napa now calling the shots.

Holdovers Franz Diaz, Rich Guinitaran, and Jordan Intic remain in the revamped Karate Kid-CEU, which will also have Jerie Pingoy, David Murrell, and John Apacible in its lineup.

“Madami pa kaming kailangan ayusin, pero ang hinihingi ko lang sa players, lumaban sila,” said Napa.

Game time is at 4 p.m., following the clash between reigning NCAA champion Wangs-Letran and the revamped EcoOil-DLSU at 2 p.m.

It’s a challenge for the Knights to show that they’re no one-trick pony as they begin their offseason preparation.

“Continuous learning yan para sa amin. Gusto namin maka-gain ng experience yung mga bata,” said Wangs-Letran coach Bonnie Tan.

Fran Yu will be thrust to  the leadership role for the Knights as he will be backstopped by their frontline featuring Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot, Ato Ular and the comebacking Christian Fajarito.

But awaiting them is a dangerous Green Archers side which are welcoming new coach Derrick Pumaren back in the fold.

“We want to use this as a gauge for us to see kung nasaan na kami sa preparations namin,” said the veteran mentor.

Justine Baltazar and Aljun Melecio will lead the fight for EcoOil-DLSU as it also parades new faces in Fil-Ams Kameron Vales and Jeromy Hughes, as well as Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye.

Source: Manila Bulletin