NAITALA ng Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific Philippines ang kasaysayan bilang unang koponan na hindi Middle Eastern club na nagwagi sa Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Sa kahanga-hangang laro sa magkabilang dulo ng hard court, kumasa at sumabak ng todo ang Mighty Sports para pigilan ang matikas na pagbalikwas ng defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon sa third period tungo sa 92-81 panalo nitong weekend sa dinumog na Shabab Al-Ahli Club sa United Arab Emirates.

Sa saliw ng hiyawan na “Mighty! Mighty!”, pinangunahan nina dating Ateneo King Eagle Thirdy Ravena ang Pinoy squad na suportado ng Oriental Game, Go for Gold, Discovery Primea at Gatorade.

Another gold! Hidilyn Diaz, isa nang guro sa UP Diliman

“It’s great! It’s a great feeling as we made up for a heartbreaking loss in the semis last year. This year it feels nice,” pahayag ni coach Charles Tiu.

Nakamit ng Mighty Sports ang ikatlong international title matapos magwagi sa Taiwan’s Jones Cup noong 2016 at 2019.

“We are overjoyed with the team’s latest achievement, we never thought to win the event much more by a sweep despite the short time of preparation,” sambit ni Mighty Sports owner Alexander Wongchuking. “Given another chance, we will continue to compete here or even in Taiwan just to give Filipino migrant workers a different entertainment.”

Nanguna si Renaldo Balkman sa Mighty sa naiskor na 25 puntos at siyam na renounds, habang tumipa si Blatche ng 21 puntos at 10 rebounds – ikapitong sunod na double-double.

Iskor:

Mighty Sports-Creative (92) – Balkman 25, Blatche 21, Williams 13, Moore 11, Kendrick 10, Ravena 6, Malonzo 4, Go 2, Gomez de Liaño 0, Belga 0.

Al Riyadi (81) – Efevberha 26, Jackson 20, Haidar 14, Arakji 10, Bawji 6, Saoud 3, Mneimneh 2, Townes 0, Akl 0, Gyokchyan 0.