MANILA – Mighty Sports-Philippines kept its untarnished slate in the 30th Dubai International Championship after a 96-89 victory over Lebanon’s Homenetmen on Monday at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Randolph Morris and Justin Brownlee delivered their usual numbers with the former having 24 points while the latter submitting 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Philippine squad.
Filipino-Americann Jeremiah Gray also came up with strong showing to finish with 24 points, including three triples, along with eight rebounds, and three assists for Mighty Sports.
“We’re a young team in a sense na we haven’t been together for so long, but I like the composure they showed,” Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu said. “That’s why at stretches, even when they made runs, I just let them play.”
After handily winning in their first two games, Mighty Sports were into a tight one against the Lebanese with the former just slightly up at 25-18 after one and ahead 51-44 at the half.
The Mighty Sports gained advantage in the third period as pulled to a 77-63 advantage but the Lebanese launched a huge run to come to as close as 89-92 but four free throws from Brownlee sealed the win for the Philippine team.
Lebanese League MVP Walter Hodge was a one-man show for the Homenetmen with 42 markers. Three other players submitted 11 markers for the Lebanese squad.
After taking a break on Monday evening, the Mighty Sports plunge back to action tonight against Syria’s Al Wahda to close out the elimination round./PN
