The PBA D-League Foundation Cup opens in grand fashion today with a triple-bill highlighted by the match-up between the Jumbo Plastic Giants and the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems at 2 p.m. at the Arena in San Juan City.
The Giants are aiming for bigger things after making it to the quarterfinals in the Aspirants Cup before losing steam and falling to the Blackwater Sports Elite despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
To remedy their shortcomings, Jumbo Plastic has signed Cebuano guard Jerick Canada and former M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala ace Jeff Viernes along with big men Michael Parala and Lee Denice Villamor.
The other two games will pit the Café France Bakers against Derulo Accelero at 10 a.m. and the Boracay Rum Waves taking on the retooled Cagayan Valley Rising Suns at 12 noon.
All of these teams have upped the ante with several new additions.
The Oilers have added Gryann Mendoza, Mark Acosta and the high-scoring Michael Juico while the Waves made waves with their signing of former pro Rudy Lingganay, Robin Rono and Prince Caperal.
Cagayan Valley have added eight new faces led by Kenneth Ighalo and Mark Bringas.