PETRON-Letran and Che'Lu finally make their much awaited debuts on Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Knights and the Revellers are in the main billing of the loaded triple-header gameday at 4 p.m. in this Aspirants Group battle.
Petron-Letran is embarking on a new era with coach Bonnie Tan at the helm, with NCAA Rookie of the Year Larry Muyang and former Gilas cadet Jeo Ambohot at the forefront.
It will also see the return of Jerrick Balanza after his battle with brain tumor last year, as he'll pair up with high-scoring reinforcement Alvin Pasaol.
But equally motivated is Che'Lu Bar and Grill, with coach Stevenson Tiu hoping to replicate, and even eclipse last year's back-to-back runner-up finish.
Sean Manganti makes his debut for the Revellers as he'll team up with 2018 Foundation Cup MVP Jeff Viernes.
Batangas-EAC and McDavid also eye their first win in the curtain-raiser at 12 p.m., while Wangs Basketball and Metropac-San Beda dispute the early leadership in the Foundation Group when they face off at 2 p.m.
It was a promising start for the Couriers, which blasted The Masterpiece Clothing-Trinity, 89-69, last week behind the efforts of Arvin Tolentino, Axel Inigo, and Radge Tongco.
And coach Pablo Lucas couldn't be any more pleased with his side's performance.
But to do that over an NCAA champion team like the Movers, "Talagang double effort kami lalo. Kailangan naming lalong paghahandaan ito."
Eight-time PBA D-League champion Boyet Fernandez of Metropac-San Beda also expects a tough draw in the duel as he leans on James Canlas, AC Soberano, and Donald Tankoua, much like in its 85-75 win over Perpetual last week.
"I know it will be a tough matchup. Lahat sila beterano pero siguro, as we learned in this game, we'll move forward," he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
