DUBAI – Challenged and all, Gary David produced a performance for the ages and Mighty Sports-Philippines finally rediscovered how to win again.
Taking a cue from Jeron Teng’s razzle-dazzle performance, David scored all of his 15 points from 3-point territory in the payoff period to help Mighty Sports dump local side Ball Above All, 94-80, at the close of the elimination round in the 28thDubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium here.
Held scoreless in the first three quarters, the former PBA scoring champion suddenly exploded, opening the final quarter with back-to-back triples to put Mighty Sports back on top 69-68.
Though he was tightly guarded, David buried three more triples – the fourth an awkward one before capping his vintage performance with a clock-beating shot that gave them a 96-85 lead with a little over one minute left.
After the local side bungled an offensive play, the predominantly Filipino crowd rose to its feet as JC Intal soared like an eagle for a putback, sealing the win with still 88 ticks remaining.
Teng’s inspired showing came at the most opportune time as Mighty Sports snapped a five-game losing streak to once again savor the sweet taste of victory.
“It’s a disappointment that we won only once but we could have won at least two to three games if we had one more practice before we left Manila,” said a visibly pleased Charles Tiu. “I’m not making excuses, but we could have won some games if not for some bad calls at the crunch.”
Tiu paid tribute to Teng, David and Ryan Arana as they kept the team from falling apart with their gutsy performances.
“They gave their all for the team and for the Filipino community here,” said Tiu.
Given for the dead once again after falling behind by 13 points late in the third, Backed by Rain or Shine and Scratch It, Mighty Sports slowly inched its way back in the contest through David’s long bombs and the daring drives of Arana, Teng and Intal.
In his finest game in the annual tournament, the 6-foot-3 Teng finished with 22 points on a remarkable 8-of-13 shooting from the field aside from tallying four rebounds and an assist while Intal scored in double figures for the first time with 10, including two triples.
Arana, the team’s enforcer, did his own share by making all his three attempts, including back-to-back that gave Mighty Sports a 73-69 lead.
Meanwhile, top seed Al Riyadi was playing against No. 4 Sagese and No. 2 Sale of Morocco was battling No. 3 Homenetmen at presstime for slots in the one-game final.
Scores:
MIGHTY SPORTS 94 – Brownlee 25, Teng, 22, David 15, Intal 10, Arana 6, McGuire 5, Manuel 3, Tiu 3, Thabeet 3, Belga 2, Douthit 0, Miller 0.
BALL ABOVE ALL 80 – Abdullah 23, Al Khatib 18, Chambers 10, Kasabali 7, Farouq 7, Nyadera 6, Bajiric 6, Krkoukli 3, Abiad 0.
Quarters: 22-20, 40-48, 60-66, 94-80. (REY C. LACHICA)