Gilmore-RnW duel kicks off PBA D-League

MANILA, Philippines –  The PBA Developmental League (PBA D-League) begins today at The Arena in San Juan, unveiling a bold approach on amateur basketball that would serve as a breeding ground of players for the pro league.

Pacific Pipes and PC Gilmore clash at 12 noon shortly after the opening ceremonies that will officially welcome the 13 pioneering ball

Clubs in the tournament to be known as the Foundation Cup.

PBA chairman Rene Pardo and PBA commissioner Chito Salud will be on hand to declare the conference open.

From the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), the Cobra Ironmen bring their act to the D-League as they collide with the Maynilad Water Dragons in the main game at 2 p.m.

Handled by collegiate champion coach Frankie Lim, the Dragons are bannered by the core of the San Beda squad that swept last year’s NCAA crown via an 18-game romp.

At the helm of Maynilad’s campaign are Red Lion stalwarts Garvo Lanete, Rome de la Rosa and season and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sudan Daniel.

Cobra will be mentored by former University of the East Warriors head coach Lawrence Chongson with former PBL MVP Paul Lee as their main man.

Meanwhile, PC Gilmore, owned by Avelino Relucio, will be boosted by the St. Benilde Blazers under coach Richard del Rosario, whose wards will be headed by 2010 NCAA

Rookie of the Year Carl John Lastimosa, nephew of PBA great and current Alaska assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa.

The PBA D-League’s inaugural season will also have former playmaker Topex Robinson as coach of Pacific Pipes, to be led by one-time PBL MVP Vic Manuel and PBA free agent Jim Bruce Viray.

The 13 teams have been bracketed into two groups for the classification phase.

PC Gilmore and Pacific Pipes are in Group A along with Pharex Naproxen Sodium, Freego Jeans, Blackwater Elite and the NLEX Road Warriors.

Composing Group B are Maynilad, Cobra, Café France, Cebuana Lhuillier, FCA Cultivators, Max! Bond Super Glue Sumos and Junior Powerade Tigers.

The top two teams in each group advance to the second round of the playoffs outright.