REBUILDING teams in EcoOil-La Salle and Builders Warehouse-UST collide as they make their debuts in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For the Green Archers, the focus is future-proofing their squad with eight rookies set to suit up this conference.
Among them include Raven Cortez, Mur Alao, EJ Abadam, as well as Isaiah Blanco-Hontiveros, the son of PBA great Dondon Hontiveros.
"We're really focusing on our team development and we'll try to absorb every experience we can get in this tournament knowing na mataas naman ang level of competition in the D-League," said assistant coach Gian Nazario on behalf of head coach Derick Pumaren.
Kevin Quiambao, however, is expected to sit out the season opener as he's with Gilas Pilipinas set to fly for Indonesia for the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup.
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Still, all eyes will be on Fil-Am big man Michael Phillips who has proven himself to be a rebounding demon and earned his spot in the Mythical Team this past UAAP Season 84.
On the other hand, it will be a new chapter for the Growling Tigers which will lean on Sherwin Concepcion, Bryan Santos, Nic Cabanero, and American reinforcement Willy Wilson.
Albert Alocillo has been tasked to handle Builders Warehouse-UST for this conference as he gets his feet wet in the 10:30 a.m. game. (RL)
