WHILE some basketball fans in Davao City believe that LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will try to redeem themselves in their home court on Thursday, June 8, at the Quicken Loans Arena, Ohio, others still think the superstar-laden Golden State Warriors will go for an unbeaten 3-0 slate in Game 3 of the NBA Finals trilogy.
The Warriors handed the Cavs a 132-113 beating in Game 2 behind Stepenh Curry's outstanding performance, finishing with a triple-double 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
Following its back-to-back rout against the Cavs, Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD) head coach Nestor "Tating" Sorrosa favored the Warriors despite the Cavs' homecourt advantage.
"There's no way the Cavs will redeem against the Warriors in Game 3 with Kevin Durant and Curry on the court," the veteran coach said.
He added the Cavs have a little edge if they will have the support of their bench.
"Cavs must at least neutralize Curry and Durant, and if possible, they must also contain all of the players of the Warriors," added Sorrosa.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) head coach Kristian Lord Coquilla, for his part, also said the Warriors are hungry for the title.
“They are all eager to redeem their loss last year even as Durant is also eager to win first NBA title,” the multi-tilted coach said.
Coquilla also said that the Cavs’ homecourt advantage will just lessen the margin but won’t be able to save them from an upcoming 0-3 deficit.
“It will be a close fight but the Warriors will prevail,” he said.
Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Mindanao coordinator Marlon Malbog, is also rooting for the Warriors in Game 3, saying: "Despite the Cavs' homecourt edge, Durant and Curry are too dominant with their offense."
Malbog, however, said the Warriors are more focused in containing the opponent's shooters.
"The Warriors are more locked in defensively than the Cavs. Still hoping that this series will go Game 7 but with the way the Warriors are playing this may be a sweep or it might get finished in Game 5 unless the supporting cast of Cavs will be more consistent in both ends," he added.
Bombo Radio chief of anchor Ronald Barbarona, meanwhile, believes that the defending champion Cavs will bounce back in Game 3 just like last year.
"After two consecutive losses, the Cavs always learned their lessons in every defeat. They will find rythm and repeat the history last year. It will be difficult to take down the Warriors but never underestimate the heart of the King James," Barbarona said, adding that the home court advantage will also be an edge for the Cavs.
Davao Inter-BPO Basketball League's Mark de Guzman, former head coach of Teleperformance, in a separate interview, said Cavs will snatch Game 3 considering four things- home court advantage, the team is in the must-win-situation, Kyrie Irving will explode and the bench players will set up.