THE end of the collegiate basketball season means the start of the PBA D-League, which unveils the second and final offering of its second season with the Aspirants Cup kicking off on Tuesday.
That also means a slew of college stars from different teams and different leagues jumping over to the other side of the fence, with former teammates becoming enemies and former arch-rivals suddenly becoming teammates.
Here, Spin.ph helps you track who went where based on the official lineup submitted by the 11 competing teams.
ATENEO
The five-time UAAP reigning champion is well-represented this conference. Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva, and Oping Sumalinog, who already played out their final year of eligibility with the Eagles are all moving on to the NLEX Road Warriors, who are looking to build their own dynasty themselves as they go for their fourth straight title.
Veteran gunner Ryan Buenafe is set to join Big Chill while back-up center Justin Chua will be suiting up for Blackwater Sports, where he will find himself in the company of the same University of Santo Tomas players he battled during the fiercely fought UAAP Finals.
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
After a runner-up finish to Ateneo, the school tied up with Blackwater Sports that allowed the team to get the services of foreign big man Karim Abdul (the D-League allows teams with tie-ups to schools to field their foreign players). Other UST players in the Elite’s roster include top guard Jeric Fortuna, Kevin Ferrer, Kim Lo, Louie Vigil, and Paolo Pe.
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Teammates at FEU, RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo go separate ways this time. Garcia, the 2010 UAAP MVP, will be playing for NLEX, while Romeo finds himself suiting up for Big Chill. Both teams, incidentally, are the top favorites this conference - regardless of what their officials say.
Brothers Arvie and Mark Bringas will likewise not be playing under one team. Arvie is with Big Chill, while Mark will be with Cagayan Rising Suns.
Roger Pogoy on the other hand, sees action for Café France.
UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP SYSTEM DALTA
Following its first NCAA Final Four appearance in eight years, the Altas will have their needed D-League exposure playing for Erase XFoliant, with no less than veteran coach Aric Del Rosario again calling the shots from the bench. Jet Vidal, Earl Thompson, Harold Arboleda, George Allen, Justine Alano, and Anthony Paulino will reinforce the squad.
SAN BEDA
So far, only Jake Pascual and Baser Amer are the only Red Lions who will see action in the league this conference for defending champion NLEX. However, new franchise Fruitas is on the verge of clinching a tie-up with San Beda that would allow it to tap the services of Ola Adeogun, Rome Dela Rosa, Art Dela Cruz, and Kyle Pascual.
JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY
The Heavy Bombers are bringing in their own team in the league carrying the Air21 brand. Former PBA MVP Vergel Meneses will be coaching the squad, although Alex Almario, John Lopez, Michael Mabulac, and Byron Villarias are the only JRU players whose services have been tapped. Interestingly, Nate Matute was signed up by Erase XFoliant.
LETRAN
After a stint with Cebuana Lhuiller, Kevin Alas jumped over and joined the star-studded NLEX Road Warriors team. Raymond Almazan, meanwhile, hopes to boost the Cagayan Rising Suns’s frontcourt rotation, while Jam Cortes returns for another tour of duty with Big Chill.
SAN SEBASTIAN
The Stags’ top players Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang will return for a fourth straight championship with NLEX sans former San Sebastian teammate Calvin Abueva, who has turned pro. Michael Miranda, Dexter Maiquez, and interim head coach Allan Trinidad, meanwhile, join JRU/Air21. Lyle Antipuesto will play for Café France.
ADAMSON
Once his shoulder injury heals, Alex Nuyles will be suiting up for Big Chill along with fellow Falcon Rodney Brondial. Eric Camson, meanwhile, is bound for NLEX while Roider Cabrera has been acquired by Boracay Rum.
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Mike Silungan brings his scoring prowess to newcomer Fruitas. Alvin Padilla and Mark Lopez, meanwhile, will play for Café France, even as Angelo Montecastro joins Big Chill.
ARELLANO
Prince Caperal and Nard John Pinto are part of the JRU/Air21 roster, while Fil-Canadian James Forrester had been signed up by Cagayan Rising Suns.
EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE
The Generals will also have some of their players seeing action in the D-League as Jan Jamon is with Café France, Jolas Paguia at Fruitas, and Franz Chiong for Cagayan Rising Stars.
COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE
King Blazer Carlo Lastimosa takes his scoring exploits to Fruitas while Paolo Taha and Roberto Bartolo will be with Boracay and Cagayan Rising Suns, respectively.
MAPUA
Erase XFoliant signed Andre Stevens for the conference, while Ken Ighalo joins the JRU squad, and Mike Parala returns for Café France.
NOTABLES
Joshua Webb of DLSU (Cagayan Rising Suns), Glenn Khobuntin of NU (Boracay), Gene Belleza of UE (Fruitas), and Jeff Viernes of St. Claire (Boracay).
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