MANILA, Philippines - Pre-tournament favorite NLEX heads three other teams making their debut today at resumption of the 2011 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the FEU gym.
NLEX takes on Freego Jeans in the 4 p.m. main game with the Road Warriors bringing in a solid roster headed by former PBA player Ogie Menor, collegiate standouts Eric Salamat and Calvin Abueva. Former PBA champion coach Boyet Fernandez will be the man at the helm of NLEX.
But Freego Jeans is going all out to foil NLEX on a team built around the core of the Adamson Falcons, led by Julius Colina, Alexander Nuyles, and Lester Alvarez. Leo Austria will call the shots for the team.
Junior Powerade, meanwhile, and the FCA Cultivators tangle in the 2 p.m. opener.
Meanwhile, the matches will be aired on a delayed telecast starting at 6 tonight.
The Junior Tigers are backstopped by the UP Fighting Maroons team of coach Ricky Dandan led by big man Magi Sison.
The farm team of Powerade also boasts of the twin tower combination of former La Salle Archer Brian Ilad (6’6) and Fil-Am Mark Anthony Jeffries (6’5).
The Cultivators, on the other hand, will lean on former Mapua standout Sean Co, Alfred Gerilla, and a host of former collegiate aces to be handled by coach Arsenio Dysangco.
Pacific Pipes and Cobra Energy Drink currently share top spot after winning their respective matches on opening day at The Arena in San Juan.