THE Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Crusaders and the Agro Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors will test each other’s mettle in the championship of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Escandor Cup 2017 on Monday, October 30, at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.

The winner will represent Davao Region to the PCCL Mindanao Finals set on November 23 to 26 in Davao City.

The Isaias Gravador-coached Crusaders advanced to the finals after routing the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights 100-67, on Tuesday, October 24.

Though the Crusaders seared to the finals unbeaten, Gravador still considers themselves as underdogs.

"We will just exert extra effort in rebounding and sustain our pressing defense," Gravador said, adding that they could delay their offense.

He also said, "Hindi namin sila hahayaan na maipasok ang bola sa baseline because it would be a game over for us," Gravador said.

The Sailors, meanwhile, demolished the hapless STI College, 100-37, in a blowout game to arrange a titular showdown against the Crusaders who beat them by four points in the eliminations.

AIFCP head coach Ondo Conda, in a separate interview, said they will try break through the trapping defense of HCDC and will stick on the system they do every practice.

"Dili man mi behind sa players kay maka sabay-sabay man sila sa Holy Cross. Ang amoa lang maka prepare lang mi sa ilahang defense kay the last time na nag champion mi sa PCCL kay around 2011 pa yata (We can keep up with Holy Cross. We just have to prepare for their defense because the last time we won the PCCCL was in 2011)," Conda said.