D-League attracts heavy turnout

MANILA, Philippines - Representatives from 10 prospective teams yesterday took part in the PBA D-League organizational meeting where the inaugural launch was set March 15.

Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways and Powerade confirmed their participation during the confab held at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

The other teams were given until Feb. 15 to submit a letter of intent to join the league.

Attending the meeting were Avelino Relucio of PC Gilmore, Enrico Lopez and Peejay Barua of Maynilad, BJ Manalo of Fitwell Nutraceuticals, Bernard Yang of Hapee Toothpaste, Riley Winpeco of Handyfix, Christopher Lizo and Ronald Dularte of Metro Pacific, Roman Ong Jr. of ANI-FCA, Ricky Dandan of Powerade, Bimbo Gaviola and Kenneth Duremdes of Pacific Pipes and Patrick Aquino of Black Water.

Expressing intention to join but unable to send representatives were Cebuana Lhuillier, M-Lhuillier, Toyota Otis and a team being put up by Lambert Ramos and Hermie Esguerra.

Tournament format and games schedule will be drawn after the number of participants is finalized, according to PBA operations chief Rickie Santos.

The D-League, featuring players 17 to 26, will be supervised by a tournament director under PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

Tournament fee is only P150,000 for PBA affiliate teams and P300,000 for non-affiliate.

The inaugural tourney will run for over three months, playing double-headers on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

“We may be forced to play on Saturdays if more than eight teams join the tourney,” said Santos.

Meanwhile, B-MEG Derby Ace picked Pong Escobal while San Miguel Beer re-acquired Lordy Tugade in the dispersal draft involving Barako Bull players.

The other Barako Bull players were left undrafted, meaning they have no choice but to sit out the coming Commissioners Cup.

Barako Bull, however, must honor its financial obligations on the players.

Marlou Aquino, the biggest name in the Barako ball club, will be without a team after the expiration of his contract at the end of the month.