Twenty teams banner the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League that gets going on 14 February at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Reigning champion Go For Gold leads the large field

Reigning champion Go For Gold leads the large field fielding in a mix of veterans and amateur cagers from clubs, collegiate teams and first timers in the country’s retooled semi-professional league.

Prior to this breakthrough cast, the 2018 Aspirants’ Cup’s largest number of teams since its foundation in 2010 was 13 led by champion Zark’s Burgers-Lyceum.

This year though, the PBA D-League will be shifting from its traditional two-conference format (Aspirants’ Cup and Foundation Cup) to a year-long tourney due to the number of teams participating.

The PBA D-League will be shifting from its traditional two-conference format to a year-long tourney.

Aside from Go For Gold, also in the fold are Che’Lu Bar and Grill, Marinerong Pilipino, Wangs Basketball, Batangas-EAC, St. Clare, Perpetual, AMA Online Education and D-League pioneer Centro Escolar University.

Collegiate teams taking part are University of Santo Tomas, National University and Far Eastern University from University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) together with Letran and San Sebastian from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Debuting teams Phoenix-Enderun, Trinity College, Diliman College and McDavid will have their baptism of fire in their first D-League stints.

These teams will surely have their hands full against top contenders Ateneo and San Beda University which are kings of UAAP and NCAA, respectively, last year.

The draft is set on 15 January at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City.