Unlike their first foray in the desert two years ago, Mighty Sports Philippines are off to a rousing start in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Behind stellar outings from Filipino-American guard Jeremiah Gray and imports Justin Brownlee and Randolph Morris, Mighty Sports scored an impressive 87-58 rout of American University in Dubai, Saturday (Philippine time) at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.
“We played a good game, but I don’t think this is the real competition. This is probably the weakest team in the whole tournament,” said Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu, trying his best to tone down the hype over the confidence-building win against an AUD side composed mostly of collegiate players.
Gray, who is a product of Dominican Athletics, had a field day in the contest. The 6-foot-5 guard tallied 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.
And it was Gray who helped Mighty Sports gain a game-high 35-point lead in the third canto, 60-25. Gray had eight points in the quarter — including an emphatic jam with 3:49 left in the frame.
It was all but over right from the get-go Morris and Brownlee linked up in the opening frame, scoring 11 of Mighty Sports’ 23 opening quarter points.
Mighty’s surge continued in the second frame, limiting the Arabs to just 11 points to gain a huge 47-20 lead entering the second half.
Brownlee scored a game-high 17 points to go along with six boards while Morris added 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Former Ginebra Gin King Jett Manuel, who started the game, chipped in 12 points.
In his first sanctioned game in five years, Lamar Odom played 26 minutes, tallying four points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
“He may have yet to show his sharp form of old but we are more than glad to see him enjoy the sport that he loves,” said Wongchuking. “He played most to the crowd and for sure, he will only get better.”
Jason Brickman and Troy Rike sat out the game for Mighty Sports.
Mahmoud Trab was the high-point man for AUD with 20 points and seven boards.
Mighty Sports will next face the UAE National Team on Saturday, February 2.
The Scores:
Mighty Sports 87 – Brownlee 17, Gray 15, Morris 14, Manuel 12, Banal 8, Adams 7, Odom 4, Santillan 4, Gomez de Liano 4, Wongchuking 2, Gutang 0, Yeo 0.
AUD 58 – Trab 20, Mbengue 10, Faroug 8, Morgan 6, Johnson 5, Bin Khatam 3, Farah 2, Albreiki 2, Ferns 2, Mohammed 0, El Ali 0.
Quarterscores: 23-9, 47-20, 68-37, 87-58.
