Phoenix makes D-League debut against Wangs, Foundation Cup champ Cafe France returns

The core of the FEU Tamaraws will make up Phoenix's PBA D-League team. (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--Before Phoenix begins to soar in the PBA, its D-League squad will take flight.

The FEU-powered Phoenix D-League club will start its Aspirants Cup campaign against Wangs in the second day of the conference at the Ynares Sports Arena on Monday.

Named the Accelerators, Phoenix, which recently bought the Barako Bull franchise in the top tier, will clash with Wangs in the 4 p.m. game of the scheduled doubleheader.

The key players from the Tamaraws' UAAP championship team including pro-bound Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, and Mac Belo will backstop the Accelerators along with former Tam Gryann Mendoza, UST Tiger Ed Daquioag, and Lyceum Pirate Seraj Elmejrab.

Meanwhile, Terrence Tumalip and Jemuel Namocatcat, who helped lead TIP to a surprise quarterfinal finish in the PCCL, will be making a mark for the Couriers this time.

In the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m., Cafe France will begin its bid for a second straight D-League title against Mindanao.

The Bakers, once again formed under the core of reigning NAASCU champions CEU Scorpions, will test the mettle of the debuting Aguilas as their quest to add the Aspirants Cup title to the Foundation Cup pennant they took last summer goes underway.

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