Reigning champion La Salle-Ecooil and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda lead the six-team field cast in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, set to commence on March 14 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Also participating in the tournament are Centro Escolar U, Gotorakku-St. Clare, Keanzel, and CCI-Yengskivel.
Observers have already installed the Green Archers and the Red Lions as heavy favorites. However, they are quick to caution that surprises should not be discounted.
EcoOil-La Salle aims for a triple crown, having started its successful title campaign two years ago following the league’s return after a long absence due to the Covid pandemic. They claimed their first championship at the expense of Marinerong Pilipino, beating the skippers in a best-of-three series.
Led by eventual MVP Kevin Quiambao, La Salle retained the title last year with a sweep against a Marinero team powered by NCAA powerhouse San Beda Red Lions.
La Salle’s D-League success extended to the UAAP, where the Green Archers ended a seven-year title drought by ruling Season 86 at the expense of the University of the Philippines Maroons in a thrilling Game 3 of the finals, securing their 10th UAAP crown.
San Beda was equally dominating, frustrating Mapua in three games to win NCAA Season 99 for its 23rd title.
But who knows? Anything can happen in this year’s edition of the Aspirants’ Cup.
After a single-round classification, the top two teams will advance to the semifinals, while the remaining four teams will play a best-of-three to determine the other two semifinalists.
Quarterfinal pairings will be determined by the teams’ finish in the eliminations.
