The Road Warriors are tagged as the early favorites in the inaugural staging of this event, but they have to prove that against Freego in their 4 p.m. encounter.

NLEX is led by ex-pros Ogie Menor and Ford Arao and collegiate standouts Erik Salamat and Calvin Abueva, former Most Valuable Player of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and the NCAA.

NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez looks comfortable playing his squad's role as favorites.

"We have stars, but we have players who will come off the bench to complement the stars," said Fernandez.

NLEX and Freego hope to join RnW Pacific Pipes in the early lead in Group A. RnW beat PC Gilmore, 76-72, in the league opener to quickly jump into the win column.

Freego is composed of players from Adamson, a team which made it to the Final Four of the UAAP last season. The team is bannered by Lester Alvarez, Alex Nuyles and Eric Camson.

Freego coach Leo Austria hopes his team will put up a good fight against several formidable squads in the league.

“We might be a collegiate team, but whatever happens, we will compete against them," said Austria.

The Junior Powerade Tigers battle the FCA Cultivators in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m. in Group B.

The Tigers of coach Ricky Dandan will parade the core of the University of the Philippines Maroons, with former Pilipinas-Smart Gilas player Magi Sison leading the way. But the squad also has veterans in University of the East (UE) James Martinez and bruiser Brian Ilad.

The Cultivators, on the other hand, are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in the last staging of the PBL. They will field in a line-up anchored on former college players JR Gerilla, Raffy Reyes, ex-pro Sean Co and Neil Pascual.

The Tigers and Cultivators look to tie Cobra for the early lead in Group B after the Ironmen beat the San Beda-led Maynilad, 78-70, last Saturday.

Reuben Terrado, GMA News TV