DUBAI—In a desperate situation, Mighty Sports-Philippines needs to come up with desperate measures if it is to beat top seed Al Riyade of Lebanon today in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium here.
NBA veterans Hasheem Thabeet and Dominic McGuire and naturalized Marcus Douthit must come up with extraordinary games when Mighty Sports battles one of Lebanon’s premier squads at 9 p.m.
Having dropped its first three games, Mighty Sports must come up with a miracle win to keep its flickering semis hopes alive in the tournament considered as the toughest in the Middle East.
Backed by Rain or Shine and Scratch It, Mighty Sports was playing Homenetmen—also of Lebanon—at presstime.
Former Ginebra import Justine Brownlee and NBA D-League aspirant Kiefer Ravena must come up with a sequel to their brilliant showing the last time if they are to inspire their teammates to deliver the goods this time.
Brownlee is averaging 27 points a game while the 6-foot Ravena owns a 15.3 points average highlighted by a 25-point show in the team’s 95-92 defeat to Sagese also of Lebanon.
Amateur standout Jeron Teng and PBA stars Chris Tiu, Gary David, Beau Belga, Ryan Arana and JC Intal should also raise their level of game several notches to help lessen the burden for Brownlee and Ravena.
A five-time champion of the tournament, Al Riyade has dumped Egypt (85-69) and Sale of Morroco (107-69)—two teams that have beaten Mighty Sports.
Backstopped by Lebanon stars Amir Saoud, Wael Arakji, and Ali Mohamad Haidar, Al Riyade also beat Homenetmen, 89-75, in a rugged encounter between the top two clubs.
Mighty Sports close out its elimination campaign against local Emirates side Ball Above All on Thursday also at 9 p.m.
Games Today
(Al Ahli Indoor Stadium)
5 p.m. – Sagese vs Sale
7 p.m. – Egypt vs Homenetmen
9 p.m. Mighty Sports vs Al Riyade