The Tigers will host the visiting Higalas in game 2 of the PSL finals at the University of Southeastern Philippines(USEP) Gymnasium and Cultural Center Obrero, Davao City, on April 25 at seven in the evening.
The Tigers take a 1-0 lead in their series after demolishing the Higalas in game 1 95-59 at the President Manuel A Roxas Sports Complex in Zamboanga del Norte last April 22.
Cebuano shooter Eman Calo scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in their win.
Now that Game 2 will be held on their home turf, Tigers coach Arvin Bonleon has vowed to do his best to end the series and celebrate the championship in front of their home fans.
"We are not taking the Higalas lightly, we will do our best to end the series tomorrow," Bonleon told reporters at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.
Higalas head coach Edgardo “Pong” Dacoco, for his part, admitted the Tigers have the edge in terms of experience since his players are young, but he vowed that they would do their best to extend their series to deciding game 3.
"Maningkamot me nga modaug sa game 2," Dacoco said.
Branded as a miracle team for winning five successive overtime games in PSL, the Higalas hoped to seek divine intervention to extend further the championship series.
Higalas young Davoeno point-guard AJ Royo, a former high school varsity of Assumption School of Davao (ASD), vowed to play better in game 2, especially since the venue is familiar.
Aside from Royo, also expected to score big for the Higalas is homegrown talent Ron Lastimosa, nephew of former PBA star Jojo Lastimosa.
PSL Commissioner Mark Pingris, a 17-year PBA veteran, said the two teams would give it all since the winner in the finals will get a whopping P2 million pesos, a trophy, and the bragging rights as the best Mindanaoan team in the PSL.
"The loser will get one million and the third placer 500,000," Pingris said.
Before the championship game, an exhibition game between the Davao Occidental Dreams under 21 teams and Dumper Partylist select team at 5 in the evening. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Photo: Rodolfo Ganas Sumatra