Lamar Odom and Justin Brownlee (center) will spearhead Mighty Sports’ return to the Dubai Invitational caging. —DENISON DALUPANG
Mighty Sports is looking to make the most out of a roster laden with youth and NBA talent when it returns to the Dubai International Basketball Championship next month.
“They look better right now [and] that’s a good sign. We are in pretty good shape,” said Charles Tiu, who will reprise his role as head coach in the tournament starting Feb. 1 at Al Ahli Sports Club.
“Before, we had players arriving one or two days before the tournament,” Tiu said. “It was difficult. Now, we have a younger squad. A more energetic one. And they listen better.”
The Mighty quintet will draw its firepower from a roster composed of noteworthy names from the amateur ranks: UP’s Juan Gomez-de Liaño, NU’s Troy Rike and La Salle’s Santi Santillan. They will be joined by Angelo Wongchuking, St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang, ex-pros Jett Manuel and Joseph Yeo; PBA D-League Finals MVP Gab Banal; Filipino-American prospects Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams, ABL star Jason Brickman and CBA veteran Randolph Morris.
But the spotlight will shine on two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom and Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.
“Physically, he looks pretty good,” Tiu said of Odom. “He seems to be in good shape but the basketball shape is a different story.”
Mighty will face PBA Governors’ Cup champion Magnolia in an exhibition match on Tuesday at Ronac gym in San Juan.