NAGHARI sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ang Mighty Sports Philippines sa Dubai International Basketball Championship matapos ang 92-81 panalo laban sa defending champ Al Riyadi sa Shabab Al Ahli Club.
Naagaw ng Mighty ang titulo mula sa Al Riyadi nang magsanib-pwersa sina Renaldo Balkman at Andray Blatche para tanghalin ang Pinoy team na tanging bansa sa labas ng Middle East na nagkampeon sa invitational tourney.
Kumamada si Balkman ng 25 points at 9 na rebounds, habang nagdagdag si Blatche ng 21 points, 10 boards, apat na assists, at dalawang steals.
Si Balkman, na may average 19.3 points at 7.3 rebounds, ang tinanghal na MVP sa torneo.
Tuwang-tuwa si Mighty coach Charles Tiu sa naging performance ng buong team, na nagrehistro ng 56% shooting from the field, at 40% o 9-of-22 sa three-point area.
“This team is special. We’ve got guys who we will see play for the national team one day and they’re just a great group of guys. We’re a young team, but we were able to just find a way,” sabi ni Tiu.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s just nice and this is for all the fans who have contributed to support us,” dagdag pa niya, na ang tinutukoy ay ang overseas Filipino workers sa Middle East na personal na nanood ng mga laro ng Mighty Sports Philippines. (VT ROMANO)
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