GOLDEN State Warriors in Game 1.
That's how most Dabawenyos see the first game between the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals starting tomorrow, Friday.
Though Cavs' key man LeBron James' dominance will have to be contained, basketball-loving fans in Davao City still prefer the team play from the Stephen Curry-powered Warriors.
Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge William "Butch" Ramirez said: "It (Warriors) has a character of a champion. The players are easy to coach and discipline while the coach is an excellent motivator and a leader. They also have no superstar complex."
Ramirez also said the Warriors are balanced as they have an excellent defense and a fast-tempo offense.
SDD-CMO staff and Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Blue Knights coach Pochollo Elegino said the Warriors will pull off a 10-point win over the Cavs, adding in the vernacular, "There is no stopping stopping Lebron or Kyrie Irving. You could only contain them. There is no stopping stopping LeBron or Kyrie Irving. You could only contain them. That's why the Warriors should let Lebron and Kyrie do their thing as long as the bench and role players of the Cavs won't contribute)."
City Mayor's Office (CMO) basketball team spitfire guard Christopher "Bong" Go, executive assistant of Christopher "Bong" Go, said that while he is rooting for the Cavs to win the series, he sees that the Warriors will take Game 1 due to the home court advantage and their consistency.
Jose Maria College (JMC) Kings team captain Rodyard Vince Noya also made the same prediction, the hometown fans will give the Warriors the needed spark.
SDD-CMO staff Rico Jhone Biliran, for his part, said the Curry-Thompson tandem will be Warriors' edge. "Can't catch up perimeter defender sa Cavs."
Former Ateneo Blue Knight Milton Cua said, "Mas defined ang roled ng GSW players at mas kumpleto sila."
Januario Jesus "JJ" Atencio, president and CEO of 8990 Housing Development Corporation that owns the DECA Homes Resort Residences and DECA Homes Indangan, said, "Warriors `coz I'm a Stephen Curry fan."
But a few think Cavs will still escape with a Game 1 victory.
Here's what they have to say:
"It's really different if you have a Lebron James in the team since he is an all-around player and he is just too dominating. The offense of Cleveland will be easier since the Warriors defense will focus on James while his teammates will be open." -- Cadel Mosqueda, former PBA player
"The Cavs will use their size to attack the Warriors' defense in the paint." -- Annie Manaay, Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) sports director
"Cavs have more veterans in the line-up." -- Cy Ramintas, Ateneo women's basketball coach