MANILA – Mighty Sports-Philippines achieved the semifinals status in the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championship after bashing Al Wathba Sports Club of Syria, 88-71, in the quarterfinals on Jan. 31.
Mckenzie Moore spearheaded Mighty’s attack with 15 points, while former NBA veterans
Renaldo Balkman and Andray Blatche contributed 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
Jamie Malonzo also submitted his fair share of a double digit output by scoring 11 points, while Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III and Juan Gomez de Liaño had 10 markers apiece.
The Philippine ball club set the tone early behind the heroic gunnery of Moore, Balkman, Blatche and locals Malonzo and Ravena to establish a 20-point advantage against the Syrians.
Although the Syrians were able to mount a huge offensive barrage to cut the deficit to 66-80, the collegiate stars Dave Ildefonso and Javi Gomez de Liaño restored the advantage for the Philippine team.
Chris Daniels, who previously played as an import for Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), was the lone bright spot for the Syrian club with 36 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Mighty Sports-Philippines will now face Association Sportive De Sale of Morocco on Friday night (Saturday in Manila) as its next task in achieving finals berth and improving from a 3rd place in last year’s edition./PN
