Marinerong Pilipino and BRT Sumisip-St. Clare kick off their title chase when they open Game 1 of their Philippine Basketball Association D-League Foundation Cup best-of-three series today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Game time is at 3:30 p.m. with the Skippers tagged as the heavy favorites after winning all of their nine games heading into the title match, including back-to-back wins over Technological Institute of the Philippines in the semifinals.

Head coach Yong Garcia said they are elated to be in the finals for the first time since entering the league two years ago, but they won’t settle down until their goal has been achieved.

“We’re happy to be in the finals, but it would be better if we could get the title,” said Garcia, who will bank anew on Most Valuable Player frontrunner Eloy Poligrates as well as seasoned forward Mark Yee and playmaker Dan Sara.

But drawing the first blood will be easier said than done.

We’re happy to be in the finals, but it would be better if we could get the title.

The Saints were impressive as well as they swept all of their elimination round assignments before finishing off rival Centro Escolar University in the semifinals en route to making their first-ever finals appearance.

Head coach Stevenson Tiu said despite being a heavy underdog, it doesn’t mean that they will back off from the challenges that the talented Skippers would throw at them.

“Obviously, we’re the underdog,” said Tiu, who is making his third finals appearance after steering Che’Lu Bar and Grill to a couple of trips to the final showdown.

“But I told them that once we’re already in the finals, anything can happen. It’s now their time to shine.

Malian center Mohammed Pare, Joshua Fontanilla, and Junjie Hallare are tipped to lead the Saints to a victory that would give them the momentum heading into Game 2.