Pinoys in Singapore rally behind Mighty Sports

SINGAPORE––Mighty Sports Apparel Philippines’ bid in the 2016 Merlion Cup basketball tournament got an extra lift last night following the strong show of support of Filipino expatriates here.

According to the organizing Basketball Association of Singapore, Filipinos came in droves to cheer on their compatriots who were battling the Seoul Samsung Thunder at press time at OCBC Arena.

Mighty Sports, which is supported by HC Technology Pte. Ltd., Huishi International Group Co. Ltd., Cebuana Lhuillier and Scratch It, hopes to make it back-to-back in the international arena after sweeping the 2016 William Jones Cup tournament in Taiwan last July.

Other teams playing in the Merlion Cup are the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, Singapore Slingers, Westports Malaysia Dragons, and Shanghai Sharks, which is owned by former NBA superstar Yao Ming.

Mighty Sports, being mentored by Charles Tiu, will face the Malaysia Dragons on Friday.

Former Gilas Pilipinas center Marcus Douthit, PBA veteran Joseph Yeo, imports Antwain Spencer and Alford Thornton, and big man Hamady N’Dyiaye will lead Mighty Sports.

They are backed by a crack local crew led by ex-pro TY Tang, former UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena, Gelo Alolino, Edrick Ferrer, Gabriel and Raphael Banal, Frank Golla, Jason Deutchman, Jason Brickman and Matthew Wright.

Tiu said: “The challenge is to find the right combinations.”