Davao Occ unfazed by raucous San Juan fans as MPBL Finals head to Knights' lair

A raucous pro-San Juan crowd awaits Davao Occidental in Game 3 of the MPBL Finals. Jun Lumbo/San Juan Knights (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI—After faltering in Game 1 at home on Thursday night, Davao Occidental will now have to deal with reclaiming the homecourt edge in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals against an expected sold-out crowd at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

But for Coach Don Dulay, the homecourt edge is not really an issue.

"I don't believe in homecourt advantage. You saw what happened in Davao. San Juan came to play in Game 1," Dulay said in a press conference on Monday at the Cocolife office.

Davao Occ renewed its partnership with the life insurance company, keeping the latter as its primary sponsor for the next season.

Dulay then said that his team is marching to San Juan's lair in full strength.

"I believe our team is prepared going to San Juan," the coach said.

Winger Billy Robles even added, "Di na lang namin papansinin yung fans. Magbi-bingi-bingihan na lang kami."

Both the Tigers and the Knights look to break a 1-all deadlock in the best-of-five series in Game 3 on Tuesday night at 7 p.m., the lone game scheduled for the Holy Week.

The winner of the match will take a 2-1 lead and can close out the series in Game 4 next Monday at the said venue.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno