The only non-Middle East and African ballclub in the tournament makes history as they emerged champions.
For the first time ever, Mighty Sports representing the Philippines will travel back home with the elusive Dubai International Basketball Championship trophy. Mighty Sports swept all their seven games in the 31st edition of the regional tourney, en route to capture the tournament championship after defeating the former champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon, 92 – 81, in Finals, in front of a rocking overflow crowd.
It was a close game until the end of first half, and the Filipinos pull away for good stunning the “Ginebra of Lebanon basketball.”
It feels like a homecourt away from home as Filipino expats celebrate the rare feat filling every space at the stadium, stairways included, jumping to the tune of Bebot and Tala in between timeouts.
Despite being formed only inside 2 weeks before the tournament, Mighty Sports, backed by Creative Pacific, treat Dubai basketball fans with highlight plays like the rim-rattling dunks of Jamie Malonzo, fancy assists of Thirdy Ravena, sweet-shooting of Fil-Am Mikey Williams, and the power plays of Renaldo Balkman and Andre Blatche among others. Not to mention, the brilliant plays of coach Charles Tiu, the youngest coach in the tournament. It’s amazing to see the kind of chemistry the team composed mostly of collegiate standouts, imports, and ABL veterans, displayed throughout the highly-physical games.
Renaldo Balkman, who averaged 19.28 points and 7.28 rebounds per game took home the MVP plum.
Photo from ABS-CBN via Google search
