Four hours after arriving from a 9-hour flight from Manila, Mighty Sports-Philippines held its first practice in full force yesterday and coach Charles Tiu was glad with he saw.
“You can see the eagerness, and cooperation and the fire of the youth,” said Tiu referring to the team’s young turks in Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, and Jett Manuel as they showed their stuff to the veterans like Chris Tiu, Gary David, JC Intal, Ryan Arana, Beau Belga and two-time MVP Willie Miller.
It was just a light practice but Tiu warned his boys to prepare for their first full practice early today in time for their crucial 9 p.m. showdown with host Al Ahli squad in the opening of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament at Al Ahli gym.
“We will be up against the host squad so we will prepare hard for it,” said Tiu, who will be assisted by veteran tactician Bo Perasol of University of the Philippines. “”We have to be at our very best if we are to hurdle our first test.”
The encounter will be highlighted by the marquee match-up of Mighty Sports’ 7-foot-3 import Hasheem Thabeet and Al Ahli’s 7-foot-1 Cheikh Samb in the shaded lane and the expected shootout by NBA veterans Dominic McGuire for Mighty and Sam Young for Al Ahli.
Good thing for Mighty Sports, it has a versatile forward in former Ginebra import Justin Brownlee who can provide the team a little of everything.
“He’s the same import that we saw when he helped Ginebra win the PBA Governors’ Cup title last conference,” said Perasol.
Parasol, however, said focus will be on guards like Ravena, Tiu and Miller.
“We have to hit our outside shots,” said Perasol. “If we can do that, our job will be a lot easier.”
After visiting girlfriend and volleyball star Alyssa Valdez in Bangkok, the inspired Ravena is raring to go to battle and show what he has learned in a US training camp.
Other members of the team also backed by Rain or Shine and Scratch It are Gab Banal and naturalized Marcus.
(REY LACHICA)