Coming off an Ugly Win in Game 1: Davao Must Regain their Claws

The reigning South Division champions Davao Occidental Tigers are heading into tonight's Game Two only needing a win to seal their return trip to the South Division Finals. They are also coming off what can be considered as an ugly win as Davao took a 47-28 victory back in Game One of the best-of-three semifinal series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

However, the Tigers cannot be contented with just beating the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines in an ugly win even though an ugly win is still a win. If they are to clinch the series, they must do it the "Tigers' way". By using their claws. Especially a team that has an Alvin Pasaol in its line-up.

One thing is certain for tonight's Game Two: Zamboanga will play with all their hearts. After all, lose tonight and their season is done. Just like that.

Having said that, Davao must prepare themselves and know that Zamboanga will throw everything at the reigning South Division champions. So, what are the things that Davao should do for tonight?

Continue to Contain Pasaol

In the series opener, Pasaol, a guy who averaged 17 points per game during the regular season, was limited to a disastrous two for 10 field goal shooting for four points in 24 minutes of playing time.  It was never easy limiting Pasaol to only four points in a playoff game because even during his stint in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) while playing for the University of the East Red Warriors, Pasaol was among the best players in the UAAP back then.

With that in mind, Davao must make sure that their defensive schemes in the game tonight will prevent Pasaol from waxing hot on offense because once he's hot, he's hard to stop. 

More Production from Everyone

In the series opener, only one player from both squads scored in double figures and that was Emman Calo who had 12 points and seven rebounds. And with Mark Yee still out, the rest of the gang from Don Dulay's line-up must step-up and regain the scoring touch especially with the way Game One was played. That alone could give Zamboanga the confidence that if tonight's game will be a low-scoring affair, they will have a shot at forcing a deciding Game Three and potentially, an upset series win against the Tigers. Guys like Bonbon Custodio, Billy Robles, Bogs Raymundo, and even Marco Balagtas must show more than what they produced in the opener where they combined for 17 points. That's not gonna do them justice. 

In other words, the Tigers must make sure that if they are going to win tonight, it must be a win that will make their potential opponents they will face in the South Division Finals worry.  

Photo is from the Facebook page of the MPBL