MANILA – Andray Blatche displayed his old deadly form as the Mighty Sports-Philippines edged Syria’s Al Ittihad, 77-72, in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Friday night (Saturday in Manila) at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, UAE.
The former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center ignited the offense with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, alongside 11 rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Blatche, also a former NBA player, did most of the damage in the fourth period scoring 10 points in the span, as his local teammates were struggling to find their touch.
Another former NBA player Renaldo Balkman came to the aid of Blatche as he submitted 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block for the Philippine representatives to improve to a 2-0 record in Group A.
Trailing for most part of the opening quarter, the Mighty Sports-Philippines went on a huge second quarter scoring barrage behind Blatche and Balkman to establish a lead as high as 14 points in the second half.
The Syrian ball club, however, did not go down without a fight as they trimmed Mighty-Sports’ advantage to 70-74, but Blatche delivered a huge basket sealed the deal for the victors.
Aubrey Coleman finished with 30 points for Al Ittihad. He was the only player in his squad to score in double-figures./PN
