Egypt thwarts Mighty Sports

Egypt made 16 of 18 free throw tries to frustrate Mighty Sports-Philippines, 84-82, in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Championship Saturday at Al Ahli gym in Dubai, UAE.

The taller, heftier Egyptians took a 45-33 lead at the half then padded their lead to 18, 60-42, late in the third quarter of a rugged encounter.

But Mighty Sports clawed back behind Jeron Teng, Kiefer Ravena and former Ginebra import Justine Brownlee.

Teng sparked the rally with a three-point play, Brownlee buried a couple of treys and Ravena scored two free throws as Mighty closed in at 84-82.

Mighty, backed by Scratch It and Rain or Shine, had a chance to steal the game, but Ravena’s triple rattled in and out at the buzzer.

Brownlee topscored with 27 points, while Ravena and Teng chipped in 10 and 9 points, respectively, for Mighty which absorbed its second defeat in as many games.

“They played great today, they defended courageously,” said coach Charles Tiu who confronted 7-foot-5 Hamad Abouelrish after elbowing Beau Belga at midcourt. —ROY LUARCA