Aspirants Cup unfolds today at Ynares Pasig

Game Today (Ynares Sports Arena) 3 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies 4 p.m. – Marinero vs Zark’s Burgers

A pair of top title contenders will open the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today as Marinerong Pilipino squares off with Zark’s Burgers in what promises to be a fierce showdown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Game time is at 4 p.m., with the Skippers, featuring some of the top collegiate standouts led by University of the East star Alvin Pasaol, and the Jawbreakers, built around the core of the Lyceum Pirates, out to get off to a roaring start.

Raising the curtains for the conference that has lured 11 other squads, most of them school-based, is an hour-long, colorful opening ceremony spiced up by the parade of team muses.

Marinerong Pilipino has been tipped as slight favorites with the addition of Ateneo standout Vince Tolentino and La Salle counterpart Abu Tratter.

Skippers coach Koy Banal isn’t taking anything for granted though.

“It remains to be seen how well we are going to play against one of the top teams this conference. We have a tough work cut for us,” he said.

The Jawbreakers, eager to turn things around following a dismal showing the last time out, have reason to be excited with reigning NCAA league MVP CJ Perez, Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu and the Marcelino twins – Jaycee and Jayvee.

However, Zark’s Burgers coach Topex Robinson chooses to be noncommittal

“It’s hard for us to consider ourselves as a top team since we don’t have the experience yet,” he said.