MULTI-TITLED Montaña Pawnshop is heavily favored to win against surprised finalist Team Virus in the championship game of the Liga Dabaw First Conference set on April 30 at the full-airconditioned Almendras gym.
Even Team Virus head coach Pochollo Elegino admits that Montaña is favored to win in their do-or-die title match set at 6:30 p.m.
“Sobrang lakas ng Montaña. Sila talaga ang favored to win,” said Elegino, also the newly-appointed Officer-in-Charge of the City Mayor’s Office Sports Development Division.
Montaña, owned by Armand Quibod has a deeper bench than Team Virus of team owner Cyrus Lademora.
“But you can’t really count out our players. You never know what type of energy they will bring in the game. They might have something to prove. It’s a matter of who wants it more,” Elegino said.
Montaña under veteran coach Dodong Cagampang crushed the Jigger Saniel-coached Goldstar, 94-80 in the semifinals last week, while Virus had to twice beat top-qualifier Sanman in the semifinals.
Virus stunned Sanman, 96-66 in Game 1 then duplicated its victory via an 87-72 win to earn the finals seat.
“Mas gutom lang siguro kami manalo. The players played really hard to get to the wins,” Elegino said.
Elegino said that they just took the game one at a time.
”When the opportunity arrived, we just took the challenge lang and nagbabakasakali na manalo. Hats off ako to the effort of the players. Gusto talaga nila manalo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sanman and Goldstar will clash for third place at 3 p.m. according to Liga Dabaw secretary Butch Ramirez.
In the collegiate division, Jose Maria College and Holy Cross of Davao College will vie for the title at 4:30 p.m. while losing semifinalists Agro Sailors and MATS Navigators clash for third place at 1:30 p.m.
JMC downed MATS, 88-80 last April 13 while HCDC trounced Agro, 91-86 last Sunday.
In the sectoral division, Land Transportation Office will take on Goldstar in their own title-match on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. while the Integrated Bar of the Phils. (IBP) Davao collides with the Coca-Cola Bottlers for third place on April 27 at 5 p.m.
The Liga Dabaw first conference is supported by the City Government of Davao, Manuel Orig, Davao Light and Power Company, Regino “Boy” Cua, Armando Sanano, Bluejazz Beach Resort, Davao City Water District and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). [SCOOP DAVAO]
