EXPERIENCE and homecourt advantage will be the edge of the Davao Occidental Tigers Cocolife when it collides with the Valenzuela CDO Idol Cheesedogs at 9 p.m. Thursday, August 30, in the resumption of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2018 Datu Cup in Davao City.

Head coach Don Dulay bared this in a press conference at the Sinamay 1 hall of Seda Hotel Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

“We expect to win at all cost,” he said although saying that Valenzuela is no pushover since their coach is a strategist having coached alongside him in the past.

He continued, “I believe their team is ready but our strength are our ex-pros, experience and the homecourt advantage.”

Dulay added that he believes in the coaching staff and the players.

“We are ready,” he said.

The Tigers, toting four wins and three losses, are home at last after being on the road the past three months.

Team owner Claudine Bautista said their home game on Thursday, August 28, 2018, at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym in Bo. Obrero, is a must-win as they can't afford to disappoint the fans.

“I just told the team to leave the preparations of the event to me. They just have to train and prepare because we have to win this game. This is a homecourt game. Hindi tayo pwedeng mapahiya sa mga Davao fans and people from outside Davao who are also rooting for our team,” she said.

Valenzuela holds a 2-3 card in the league so far.

Team manager Bhong Baribar said the team is composed of seven players from Davao City and three from Davao Occidental with reinforcements from Manila and Cebu.

“We really prioritize players from Davao Region. We really give chance to homegrown players,” Baribar said.

Team captain Louie Medalla said: “Kini nga team mulaban jud (This is a fighting team).”

The Tigers' next home game is slated on October 20 in celebration of the Araw ng Davao Occidental.

Tomorrow's curtain raiser pits the Pasig Pirates against Rizal Crusaders at 7 p.m.

VIP ticket pegged at P250 is inclusive of a free shirt and a raffle stub that stakes brand new motorcycles, Marco Polo Hotel and Shangri-la hotel gift certificates, Philippine Airlines round-trip tickets, My Phone mobile units and Cocolife goodies with accident insurance.

“This is our very first home game and being the only Davao team in the MPBL we want this to be special for our fans,” Bautista said.