Mighty Sports remains undefeated as they fend of Lebanon

“THREE STRAIGHT! Mighty survives nailbiter against Homenetmen Lebanon, 96-89, to remain undefeated in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship. #GearUpForGreatness” (Photo: Mighty Sports Apparel and Accessories/Facebook)

Filipino representatives Team Mighty Sports bagged their third win as they dominated the Lebanese Homenetmen in a 96-89 victory at the Shabab Al Ahli Club for the Dubai International Championship last Sunday, February 3.

Imports Randolph Morris and Justin Brownlee performed with 24 and 19 points respectively, but Filipino-American Jeremiah Gray performed as well contributing a total of 24 points. Lebanese League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Walter Hodge tried to hold it down for the Homenetmen with 42 points, but did not get enough help from his teammates to take home the win.

According to Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu, unlike the Homenetmen, it was his team’s chemistry that won them the game, stating, “We’re a young team in a sense na we haven’t been together for so long, but I like the composure they showed. That’s why at stretches, even when they made runs, I just let them play,” adding, “I want them to grow up while playing in this game, because later in the tournament, we’re gonna face games like this, so we have to know how to win in these types of situations, so this was a good test for us.”

He concluded, “I credit all the players. I’m just telling them simple (instructions) and they know what to do. I thought Jeremiah stepped up big and Jason really did a good job. Those two guys, and the usual, Morris, Brownlee, they’re consistent.” The last time the Philippines faced the Homenetmen was two years ago, where they lost 100-93.

The Filipinos had a day off from their last game as they will next see action against Syria on Tuesday, February 5. In anticipating their upcoming opponent, Tiu shared, “That Syrian is also strong and they’re actually solid. They’re a pretty good team and they’re like this Lebanese team. So you really can’t say that even though we beat this Lebanese team, we will gonna steamroll past them. We have to respect them and play good as we can.”

Quarterfinals will begin on Thursday, February 7.