DUBAI—The semis hopes of Mighty Sports-Philippines was snuffed out late Tuesday after absorbing yet another disappointing 100-93 loss to Homenetmen of Lebanon, 100-93, in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium here.
Not even the vintage performances of Gary David and two-time PBA MVP Willie Miller were enough to lift Mighty Sports as it suffered its fourth straight defeat to kiss their semis bid goodbye in the toughest cage event in the Gulf region.
The gallant effort of Kiefer Ravena to help turn the team’s fortunes around proved costly as he injured his shooting hand during a mad scramble for the loose ball early in the fourth.
Ravena will definitely miss the team’s last two games.
The team played catch up once again and fell behind by 16 points midway in the third, but rallied in the fourth and eventually closed the gap at 96-92 on four straight charities by David after he was fouled by the durable Lebanese star Fadi El-Khatib, while going for a three with still 50 ticks left.
Apart from the three charities, Mighty Sports also got a bonus after El-Khatib was slapped a technical for continues complaining, and David calmly hit the freebie.
The team – the crowd included – roared in protest after David was called for travelling violation in the next play.
That ended Mighty Sports’ momentum and its hopes of advancing to the semis vanished into thin air.
Struggling and all, former Ginebra import Justine Brownlee topscored for Mighty Sports for the fourth time with 20 points while David highlighted his 19-point show with six triples.
Miller also had some shining moments as he matched David’s six triple to finish with 17 points.
Scores:
HOMENETMEN 100 – Taylor 29, Galloway 20, Jackson 19, ElKhatib 15, Souiad 10, Majok 4, Hawe 2, Mechief 1, Gyokchyan 0, Chamoun 0.
MIGHTY SPORTS 93 – Brownlee 20, David 19, Miller 17, McGuire 15, Thabeet 7, Teng 5, Arana 4, Ravena 4, Belga 2, Intal 0, Tiu 0, Douthit 0.
Quarters: 26-19. 42-33, 70-63, 100-93.
Games Today
(Al Ahli Indoor Stadium)
5 p.m. – Sale vs Egypt
7 p.m. – Sagese vs Homenetmen
9 p.m. – Mighty Sports vs Ball Above All
