PSL hoops opening soon

Defending champion Davao Occidental remains the consensus team to beat but a star-studded newcomer in Boracay is sure to turn heads when exciting action in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup kicks off on 23 November at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A tough 14-team field will duke it out for the crown in the tournament that aims to promote local grassroots talents as well as give former professional cagers and promising amateur talents to strut their wares.

But all eyes are focused on Tigers, who bested Cagayan de Oro in the inaugural conference early this year.

"It's a blessing for us to win the championship last conference. We're now looking forward to the next tournament. Of course, everyone's looking at us, to beat us, so we prepared well the past five months," Davao gunner John Wilson said during the league's launch at the Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant in San Juan on Friday.

However, Davao will have an early acid test taking on a Boracay squad led by former Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Jayjay Helterbrand in the opening day curtain-raiser at 4 p.m.

Santa Rosa and CDO, meanwhile, will clash at 6:00 p.m. in the playdate that will have free admission provided that fans will present their vaccination cards upon entry.

Also participating are Koponan Lakan, Manila Citystars, Bicol Spicy Oragon, Batang Kankaloo, Nueva Ecija Slashers, Quezon City Beacons, ARS Warriors, Muntinlupa, Pampanga Royce and Pampanga Giant Lanterns.

"When we started the first conference, we held it in Zamboanga and was a bubble tournament. The teams stayed there for almost two months. This time around, we will do it here in Luzon so the games will be moving from different places," PSL President Rocky Chan said.

"This will be a better and bigger second conference), Teams are really serious in beefing up their rosters. Commissioner Marc Pingris and I were really surprised with teams signing quality players," Vice President Ray Alao added.