Mighty Sports takes on host Al Ahli in Dubai

MANILA, Philippines - Mighty Sports-Philippines braces for a tough outing right in the opener of the Dubai International basketball tournament as it tangles with host Al Ahli at Dubai’s premier sporting club tomorrow.

After Al Ahli, Mighty Sports will clash with a crack squad from Libya the following day, takes a break on Sunday then collides with the taller and heftier Lebanese squad on Monday.

It winds up its elims campaign against a rugged Morrocan squad on Tuesday.

Charles Tiu, the youthful coach of Mighty Sports, described their 9 p.m. game with the host squad as crucial to its title bid since Al Ahli has been tipped as one of the teams to beat in the annual tournament that drew some of the best ballclubs in the region.

Al Ahli, in fact, is on a roll, winning all its 10 games in UAE’s local tournament.

“Al Ahli is a tough team, No. 1 in their local tournament,” said the former Gilas assistant coach. “They are led by former NBA players in Sam Young and Chiekh Samb. They are also the home team so it should be a big challenge.”

But Tiu remains unfazed.