The Davao Occidental Tigers will try to live up to pre-tournament hype when they tackle the Quezon City Capitals at 7 p.m. today in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.
The Tigers topped the MPBL preseason tournament and are regarded as the strongest among the four teams from Mindanao competing in the regional league.
Powered by five former pros, the Tigers downed Imus Bandera, 75-71, on June 14 and will share the lead with the idle Muntinlupa Cagers (2-0) with another victory over the Banderas.
Billy Robles, Leo Najorda, Mark Yee and Bogs Raymundo are again expected to carry the scoring load for the Tigers of Coach Don Dulay.
The Pasig Pirates and the Laguna Krah Heroes collide in the second game at 9 p.m.
Both Pasig and Laguna are coming off losses, with the Pirates yielding to the Caloocan Supremos, 81-91, and the Heroes bowing to the Zamboanga Valientes, 80-86.
Former pro Denok Miranda will banner Laguna while former Letran Knights Boyet Bautista, Ronjay Enrile and Jonathan Aldave will anchor Pasig’s bid to break into the win column.