CAFÉ France battles Derulo Accelero to open the new PBA D-League Foundation Cup conference on Monday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Bakers and the Oilers clash at 10 a.m. in the first game of a tripleheader.
In other games in the opener, Boracay Rum takes on Cagayan Valley at 12 noon while Cebuana Lhuillier faces Jumbo Plastic Linoleum at 2 p.m.
Josan Nimes, Café France’s top scorer last conference, won’t be around for the Bakers in the Foundation Cup as he focuses on his stint with the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA.
Besides that, little changes were made from the Café France roster, with point guard Rocky Acidre signing up with the Bakers.
Head coach Egay Macaraya will be banking on the experience from last conference when the Bakers wound up one win short of a quarterfinal berth.
“Hopefully, the boys have learned to believe that we are capable of winning games,” said Macaraya.
The Oilers are seeking to bounce back from a 1-12 win-loss slate in their maiden conference in the Aspirants Cup.
Boracay Rum Waves face the new-look Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, with eight players signed up mostly from the defunct Zambales M-Builders.
Jumbo Plastic is also looking to improve after a disappointing finish last conference, when it missed the semifinals after a strong elimination round where it placed third.
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