Mighty Sports trips Slingers

MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena and Joseph Yeo hit clutch baskets as Mighty Sports Apparel Philippines bucked poor shooting to subdue the Singapore Slingers, 72-70, over the weekend and arrange a showdown with taller Shanghai Sharks for the Merlion Cup basketball tournament crown in Singapore.

Ravena scored on a strong drive while Yeo drilled in a triple, shoving Mighty Sports to a 72-68 lead with 42 seconds left in the contest.

The Slingers still pulled to within two with 28 seconds remaining but a costly turnover by Filipino import Jeff Viernes following a botched inbound by Dewarick Spencer sealed the win for Mighty Sports.

Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu rued the team’s woeful shooting as they made only 36 percent of their shots from the field.

“We had a horrible shooting night, just 36 percent, and (Al) Thornton had an off night. But the boys found a way to win,” said Tiu.

Backed by HC Technology Pte. Ltd., Huishi International Group Co. Ltd., Cebuana Lhuillier and Scratch It, Mighty Sports is eyeing back-to-back international titles after winning the Jones Cup in Taiwan last July.