Mighty Sports – Philippine team plays in Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament

The former rivals will play for the flag.

Justin Brownlee‘s clutch 3 point basket in the dying seconds of PBA Governors Cup Finals Game 6 still lingers in the mind of every Philippine basketball fan. He hugely help Ginebra win its first title in 8 years. The import will bring his acts to Dubai as he joins Mighty Sports Philippines to play in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Tournament.

The games will be played from February 17 to 25 at Al Ahli Club (near Al Mulla Plaza & Stadium Metro Station).

PBA veterans JC Intal, Gary David, Willie Miller, Chris Tiu, Beau Belga, TY Tang, Ryan Arana and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

Other reinforcements include NBA vets Hasheem Thabeet and Dominic McGuire.  Thabeet is 7’3″ 2nd overall pick in 2009 draft ahead of James Harden and Steph Curry. McGuire, 6’9″, is a journeyman who played for 7 teams, the last being Washington Wizards.

Collegiate stars – Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena, La Salle’s Jeron Teng, UP’s Jett Manuel and Mapua’s Gab Banal will also play for the country.

Ravena expected to land in the top in the next PBA Draft is fresh from a developmental player training stint in NBA D-League for the Texas Legends.

Teng, another top pick prospect has just lead La Salle in its recent UAAP championship, also named Finals MVP.

The team, which will be mentored by the promising coach Charles Tiu – probably the youngest in this tournament, will face tough sides from the usual contenders Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Libya and home team UAE.

Games of Mighty Sports in the eliminations are scheduled at 9pm to highly consider the Filipino fans’ work schedule. Here’s the full schedule of games:

Tickets start at 30 AED.

Let’s go and fill the stadium once again and prove that Dubai is the second home court of the Philippines.

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* Top photo from Inquirer.