Mighty-PH relegated to battle for 3rd by hot-shooting Lebanese opponent

Mighty Sports’ Juan Gomez de Liano tries to score against a Lebanese defender during their match Friday in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Patrick Castillo

Dubai, United Arab Emirates—Mighty Sports absorbed an 89-84 loss to Al Riyadi in their knockout semifinal duel late Friday in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship at Shabab Al Ahli Club here.

Led by the hot-shooting duo of Wael Mazen Arajki and import Dominic Johnson, the Lebanese buried the Mighty Sports dribblers with a hail of 3-point shots to arrange an all-Lebanese final showdown.

Al Riyadi collected 16 triples, six coming from Johnson, against only six for Mighty Sports, which was relegated to a battle for third against Homenetmen—a team it beat, 96-89, in the group stage.

Regardless of the outcome, Mighty coach Charles Tiu and coteam owners Alex and Caesar Wongchuking already consider the team’s campaign here a success.

“We played valiantly and gave our kababayans a real entertainment,” said Caesar Wongchuking. “Our target was to reach the semis and we did, but unfortunately, we fell short in our final bid.”