Mighty Sports has added another versatile wing to its roster for the upcoming 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship which takes place from January 23-February 1, 2020 at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.
Joining Dave Ildefonso and Javi Gomez de Liano is La Salle’s one-and-done guard Jamie Malonzo.
Though the addition creates a logjam at the two- and three-position, Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu knows that the 6-foot-7 Filipino-American will bring plenty to the table for his team, which is trying to upstage its third-place finish a year ago.
“Of course, now we are loaded in our wing spots with Dave and Javi, so there should be a good competition for minutes,” Tiu said about his squad, which is backed by Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas, Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Discovery Primea, and Gatorade.
“But I know Jamie can definitely help our team.”
Tiu revealed that Malonzo has been on his wishlist since Mighty Sports was invited to the tournament as he is a huge fan of his game. Malonzo posted norms of 15.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals with the Green Archers.
“Jamie was actually one of the first players I recruited for this team.
“Obviously he’s a talent — a big wing with athleticism. He can do a lot of things on the floor as seen in his stint with La Salle,” Tiu said.
Also part of the team are Juan Gomez de Liano, Kai Sotto, and Andray Blatche. Serving as one of Tiu’s assistant coaches is Angola national team head coach Will Voigt.
Teams that have been announced for the tourney are Libya’s Al Ahli; Syria’s Alwathba Sports Club and Al Ittihad; UAE’s national team and Alittihad Alexandria Club; and Lebanon’s Al Riyadi and Beirut Sports Club.
