Cignal takes on Flying V today

Games Today (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 3 p.m. – Gamboa vs Zark’s 5 p.m. – Cignal vs Flying V

Cignal looks to start its bid for a second straight title on a high note and spoil the debut of new team Flying V today in the opener of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Unlike in the previous conference when they fielded most of the players from NCAA champion San Beda, the Hawkeyes will be paraded by a cast of former collegiate stars and amateur veterans when they face the Jeron Tengled Thunder in the second game at 5 p.m.

Kicking off the seventh edition of the tournament is a duel between new teams Gamboa Coffee and Zark’s Burger at 3 p.m.

Gamboa, who will led by playing coach Leo Avenido, and Zark’s are two of four teams that will make their initial foray in the PBA’s developmental competition, joining Flying V and Marinerong Filipino.

Cignal, which captured the Aspirants’ Cup, leads the returnees alongside Racal Motors, Tanduay, Centro Escolar University, Batangas, AMA Online Education and Wangs Basketball.

The six best teams after the 10-game eliminations advance to the playoffs, with the top two going outright into the semis while the third and fourth placers gaining twice-to-beat incentives in the crossover quarters.

Cignal is tagged as favorite to win another crown after coach Boyet Fernandez retained the services of Jason Perkins, Pamboy Raymundo and Davon Potts, who was allowed by San Beda to play at least seven games before the NCAA tournament in order to be eligible for next season’s PBA draft.

The biggest coup by the Hawkeyes is Raymar Jose, the former Far Eastern University role player who was a member of the Phoenix Accelerators squad that took last year’s Foundation Cup crown.

Jose is coming off a stint with the Kaohsiung Truth of the ASEAN Basketball League, and is expected to play a major role under Fernandez.

Teng joins Flying V after suiting up for AMA in the Aspirants’ Cup. Joining the ex-La Salle star are ex-pros Eric Salamat, Gab Banal and Hans Thiele.