Two former PBA players-turned coaches made this assessment during Wednesday’s launching at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

NLEX and Cebuana Lhuillier are in different groups. The Road Warriors are in Group A along with Black Water Elite, Freego Jeans, PC Gilmore, Pharex Naproxen Sodium and RnW Pacific Pipes.

The Gems head the list in Group B, which has FCA, Café France, Cobra Energy Drink, Max Bond Super Glue, Maynilad and Junior Powerade.

“Cebuana Lhuillier has an impressive line-up, but NLEX is stronger because it is composed of veterans and ex-PBA players," Freego coach Leo Austria said.

The Road Warriors will be spearheaded by Ateneo’s Eric Salamat, San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang, plus ex-pros Ogie Menor and Ford Arao.

The Gems, on the other hand, will count on ex- PBA players Marvin Hayes, James Seña, Benedict Fernandez, Kelvin Gregorio and former La Sale standout Hyram Bagatsing.

“NLEX and Cebuana are the top two teams, but the underdogs will surely put up a good fight," said RnW Pacific Pipes coach Topex Robinson, who last played for the Alaska Aces.

But NLEX and Cebuana Lhuillier downplay their rivals’ claim and said otherwise.

“It is an advantage for the other teams which have been together for awhile," said NLEX assistant team manager Ronald Dulatre, referring to some of the collegiate teams competing in the event.

Collegiate teams are well-represented in the league as Freego will be composed of the core of the Adamson Falcons while Black Water, mentored by Leo Isaac, will bring in players from Arellano University.

Maynilad, meanwhile, will be bolstered by three-time defending NCAA champion San Beda College while Max Bond has partnerred with University of Santo Tomas. Centro Escolar University will form up Café France.

“The college teams can’t be taken for granted because they are the underdogs and they have nothing to lose. The pressure is off them," said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo.

RnW Pacific Pipes go up against the PC Gilmore Wizards to open up the conference at 12 noon while the Maynilad Water Dragons clash with Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen at 2 p.m. A brief opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.

A PBA game will follow the series of D-League games as the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas take on the San Miguel Beermen at 6 p.m.

Teams play in a single round-robin format in their own group with one team in Group A playing an extra game, owing to a larger number of participants.

The top two teams in each group will advance outright to the second round playoffs while the third to sixth placers will play in a one-game playoff. The winners will advance to take on the top two teams with the survivors advancing to the best-of-three final series.

PBA operations manager Rickie Santos said that the initial conference will run from March to May. A plan to hold a two-conference format is also being worked out next year.

RCJ, Reuben Terrado, GMA News