DUBAI – For the second straight night, Mighty Sports-Philippines fell short in its comeback bid, dropping a heart-breaking 84-82 decision to Egypt national team in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Championship Saturday here.
But the good side was that Kiefer Ravena and finally Jeron Teng showed why they’re fancied as future PBA stars by coming through with courageous performance against their taller and heftier Egyptian defenders.
The two former collegiate rivals were not only fearless, they were also impressive.
Ravena, the 6-foot guard out of Ateneo, could have emerged as the hero of the team backed by Scratch it and Rain or Shine, but his three-point shot cruelly rattled in and out at the buzzer.
But overall, his 10-point output was good enough that he even earned raves from the Egyptian coaching staff.
And Teng?
Held scoreless in the team’s 83-75 defeat to Sale of Morocco in the opener, Teng, the 6-foot-3 UAAP MVP from La Salle, tallied 9 points as he held his own against the rugged Egyptians who took an 18-point lead, 60-42 late in the third quarter.
Teng’s completed three-point play to start off the fourth frame ignited Mighty Sports’ comeback and roused the crowd to chant even louder.
But the Egyptians used the free throw area as escape route, making all but two of their 16 charities in the payoff period to frustrate the Mighty Sports cagers.
The loss put Mighty Sports’ semis bid in peril as it needs to win all its four games, including three against top Lebanese teams.
The game was halted for about five minutes after Egypt’s 7-foot-5 Hamad Abouelrish treacherously elbowed Beau Belga at midcourt that saw Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu confront the hulking center.
Despite the loss, Tiu commended the valiant efforts of his boys, saying: “Don’t lose hope, we’re improving and be proud.” Scores:
EGYPT 84 – Okasha 24, Abdelhalim 20, Abdallah 10, Aboushousha 8, Mostafa 7, Elgammal 5, Said 4, Oraby 4, Abouelrish 2, Tawfik 0, Eldahsnan 0.
MIGHTY-PH 82 – Brownlee 27, Ravena 10, Thabeet 9, Teng 9, McGuire 8, Belga 7, Intal 3, David 3, Douthit 2,Miller 2, Tiu 2, Arana 0.
Quarters: 19-22, 45-33, 60-48, 84-82. (REY LACHICA)
