An Al Thornton-led Mighty Sports five will represent the Philippines in the Jones Cup in Taipei this July, with the club answering the call after Gilas Pilipinas begged off because of conflict with the PBA schedule.
The champion there in 2016, Mighty Sports will be shooting to win the event for the sixth time for the country, which first triumphed with a Ron Jacobs-coached Northern Cement crew in the 1980s.
Charles Tiu will call the shots yet again and he is currently burning the lines for additional imports as the team will be slugging it out with the national teams of South Korea, Japan and Chinese Taipei, all gearing up for the World Cup in China starting Aug. 31.
“If it’s for national cause, we’re always ready to help,” Mighty Sports owner Alex Wongchuking said. “While this year’s tournament will be [against a] stronger [field], we are confident we can provide great entertainment for the thousands of Filipino workers there.”
A Gilas side won the 2012 edition where LA Tenorio also won the Most Valuable Player award. That team was coached by Chot Reyes.
Former PBA star Joseph Yeo will be in the team together with Aaron Black, the ex-Eagle with Ateneo in the UAAP. Other imports who have signed up are Hamady N’Diaye of Senegal and Dewarick Spencer.