THE Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Crusaders will try to keep its clean slate when it plays University of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats in the 80th Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament that will resume on Tuesday, April 11, at the Almendras Gym, Davao City Recreation Center.

The Crusaders, who brought a lone gold for Davao City in the 2016 BIMP-Eega Friendship Games in Samarinda, East Kalimantan in Indonesia, started its campaign on a high note and eked out victories over the Philippine Women's College (PWC) 86-54, and Holy Cross College of Sasa (HCCS), 107-74, for a 2-0 win-loss card.

But HCDC head coach Isaias "Ice" Gravador said they need to adjust on their defense if they want to win against UM.

"Based on our past two games we still need to work more on our defense side," Gravador said.

Gravador also said that the road to the finals is still a long process as they needed to sweep three straight wins before going to the semifinals.

"Our main objective is to be in the top two to earn the twice-to-beat advantage. A record of 5-0 or 4-1 in the eliminations will do," he added.

Jose Maria College Kings will face Agro Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines at 10:30 a.m. to be followed by games between HCCS and St. John Paul College of Davao at 12:30 p.m., and Rizal Memorial Colleges and Ateneo de Davao University at 2 p.m.

The event is presented by Sports Development Division-City Mayors Office and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. (ABM)