Mighty Sports-Philippines overcame its stiffest challenge yet after fending off Homenetmen of Lebanon, 96-89, to stay undefeated in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship early Monday morning (Manila time) at Shabab Al Ahli gymnasium in Dubai.
American reinforcement Randolph Morris and Fil-American swingman Jeremiah Gray each delivered a team-best 24 points while Justin Brownlee was in his usual element to record another double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Philippine side.
Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu commended his wards for keeping their poise amid the Lebanese’ fightback spearheaded by Walter Hodge, who unleashed 42 points.
“We’re a young team and we haven’t been together for so long but I like the composure they shown,” Tiu said. “That’s why in some stretches when they (Lebanese) made a run, I just let them play.
“I want them to grow up probably in this game. And in a tournament like this, we’re gonna face these situations like this so we really have to know how to win. It’s a good test for us.”
Gray gave Mighty a lift off the bench with 9 of his points coming off triples while also having eight rebounds and three assists.
Guards Jason Brickman and Juan Gomez de Liaño also provided solid contributions with Brickman registering 10 points and five assists and de Liaño tallying 11 points.
Mighty Sports practically sealed the top seeding in Group A with a 3-0 record. The team hopes to sustain its unbeaten run on Wednesday when it takes on Al Wahda-Syria to wrap up its campaign in the preliminary round.