CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — San Juan and Davao Occidental will collide in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL National Finals for the second straight season.
The Tigers joined the Knights in the title round after league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes confirmed that four members from the Basilan delegation tested positive for COVID-19 in their re-swab, Monday.
“The update is that four are (COVID-19) positive,” said Duremdes.
With the development, the Davao Occidental won the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South Division title by default.
The two squads were knotted at 1-1 when the pandemic forced MPBL to stop play a year ago. They were supposed to play the decider last Wednesday but two Basilan players tested positive for the virus on the eve of the game.
San Juan booked the first slot in the National Finals after whipping a five-man Makati side, 131-54, last Wednesday to win the North Division title.
Basilan drew first blood against the Tigers back on March 9 last year, 74-72, at RDR Gymnasium in Tagum City, before Davao tied the series two days after, 81-76, at the Lamitan Capitol Gym.
The quest for the Lakan championship trophy begins Wednesday, 4:00 p.m., still at Subic Bay Gymnasium.
Games will be almost every day until the series ends, with just a one-day breather after Game Two.