MANILA – Mighty Sports-Philippines recovered from a slow start to defeat ES Rades of Tunisia, 84-66, in the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championship on Tuesday in Dubai, UAE.
Former NBA players Andray Blatche and Renaldo Balkman gunned 18 points apiece to spearhead the Philippine club to its third straight win in as many matches.
Jelan Kendrick also added 13 markers, while University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star Juan Gomez de Liaño had his best performance in the tournament after converting four outside hits to finish with 12 markers.
Although they have struggled finding their range in the opening half, Mighty Sports got their grip together in the third period to surge to a 50-39 edge after a long bomb from Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III.
Holding on to a slim 68-64 advantage early in the fourth quarter, the Philippine representatives leaned on Blatche and Balkman for a 16-2 offensive barrage for its biggest lead at 84-66.
Anton Grady finished the match with 17 points and eight rebounds for the Tunisian team that slumped to a 3-1 slate./PN
