Mighty buildup for Dubai meet now ongoing

MANILA, Philippines — Mighty Sports-Philippines has opened camp in preparation for the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championship, and the only player still being awaited is Filipino teen tower sensation Kai Sotto.

The rest have shown up, including ex-Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The 33-year-old Blatche, who last played for the Philippines in the 2019 FIBA World Cup last September, arrived Thursday and practically hit the ground running.

He needs to, especially as he’s to lead Mighty’s bid to surpass its bronze-medal finish in the last edition. 

“We know how good a player he is, but he needs to be in excellent form because we will be again facing formidable teams from Lebanon and Middle East,” said mentor Charles Tiu who will be assisted by Angola mentor Will Voigt in handling the 16-strong Philippine squad.

Backstopping Blatche in anchoring the Alex Wongchuking-owned franchise are other reinforcements in Renaldo Balkman and McKenzie Moore who were the lead forces in Mighty’s sweet sweep of the 2019 William Jones Cup in Taiwan. 

Also in the squad is a mix of seasoned cagers and rising stars namely Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and ex-PBA player Joseph Yeo with Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, UP’s Jarrell Lim and Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, La Salle’s Joaqui Manuel and Jamie Malonzo, NU’s Dave Ildefonso, Gab Banal as well as Fil-Am prospects Mikey Williams and Jelan Kendrick. 

Sotto, the 7-foot-2 prodigy who is currently training in the US, will be joining the squad in Dubai already as Mighty Sports leaves home Jan. 21.

“With a good mix of young and veteran players in the team, we are hoping to at least finish in the top four,“ said Wongchuking who also expressed gratitude to the support of Bong Cueva’s Creative Pacific, Go For Gold, Oriental Game and Gatorade.

Mighty Sports will be up against Al Ahli of Libya, Al Riyadi and Beirut Sports Club of Lebanon, Alwathba Sports Club and Al Ittihad of Syria, the UAE national team and Alittihad Alexandria Club and Dubai’s American School in the tourney set at the Shabab Al Ahli Club Jan. 23-Feb. 1.

Mighty finished third in the 2019 edition of the Dubai tilt with PBA resident import Justine Brownlee and former NBA cager Lamar Odom then spearheading their campaign.