Mighty Sports PH downs Samsung Thunders

SINGAPORE—Mighty Sports Apparel Philippines rode on a third quarter run anchored on Al Thornton to subdue powerhouse Seoul Samsung Thunders, 92-87, to rev up its title bid in the 2016 Merlion Cup basketball tournament Wednesday here.

The former PBA import, who topscored with 35 points, found his range in that span as Mighty Sports erased a 31-41 second quarter deficit to the delight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who trooped to the OCBC Arena.

Though unable to practice with Mighty Sports, two-time UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena also shone as he joined hands with Jones Cup MVP Dewarick Spencer and former PBA import Thornton in thwarting Samsung’s rally with timely shots in the last three minutes.

In that stretch, Thornton scored five points, including a triple, before Spencer hit a floater while Ravena banged in a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the team’s win.

Mighty Sports, backed by HC Technology Pte. Ltd., Huishi International Group Co. Ltd., Cebuana Lhuillier and Scratch It, will battle the Westports Malaysia Dragons Friday .

Senegalese reinforcement Hamady N’Dyiaye scored 16 points and collared nine rebounds to help Mighty Sports beat the two-time Korean Basketball League champion.

Spencer, who powered Mighty Sports to a sweep of the Jones Cup in Taiwan last month, contributed 15 points and five assists.

It was also the first-ever victory for Charles Tiu as a head coach after serving as assistant coach to Bo Peraso in the Mighty Sports squad that won the Jones Cup.