NEWCOMERS Gamboa Coffee Mix and Zark’s Jawbreakers collide on Thursday, as the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup gets going at Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Old familiar faces who have practically made the rounds of the commercial leagues will spearhead the campaign of the Coffee Lovers in the season-ending conference that drew 11 teams.
The list includes Jett Vidal, Mark Sarangay, Gino Jumao-As, Mark Angelo Montuano and former pros Jens Knuttel, Val Acuna and Marcy Arellano.
Fittingly, the team also named Leo Avenido, a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player who won Most Valuable Player honors in the Asean Basketball League while playing for San Miguel Beer in 2012, as its playing coach—a first in the league.
The Coffee Lovers and the Jawbreakers open hostilities at 3 p.m.
Leading the charge for Zark’s are former PBA player Robby Celiz and veteran D-League campaigners Clark Bautista, RJ Argamino, Mark Jeruena and James Mangahas.
Another newcomer, Flying V, also makes its debut against Aspirants’ Cup champion Cignal in an interesting matchup at 5 o’clock.
Observers believe the Thunder will be a contender in their maiden conference with a team built around former PBA players Eric Salamat, Gab Banal, Hans Thiele, Bacon Austria, Jeric Canada and Joshua Webb.
Flying V Coach Eric Altamirano shores up his roster by netting center Jeffrey Ongteco, forward Aristotle Dionisio and former La Salle star guard Jeron Teng.
“This is a new challenge for me. Hopefully, we will get new results,” said Altamirano, who won titles for Purefoods and Mobiline in the PBA and National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
With a practically the same line up that won the Aspirants’ Cup last conference, the Hawkeyes should be a strong contender for a title sweep.
Cignal Coach Boyet Fernandez expects his chargers to walk the tightrope against the Thunder.
“With Jeron Teng in their lineup and Coach Eric [Altamirano] coaching the team, Flying V is a very strong and tough matchup for us. But we will be ready,” he said.