Mighty Sports breezed through Oil Sports Club-Iraq in a one-sided game, 108-94, to remain perfect in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
All Mighty starters scored at least 20 points as they mounted a fluid offensive attack all game move towards the semis.
The Iraqi squad immediately felt the presence of the Philippine team as Juan Gomez de Liaño led an 8-point surge in 60 seconds at the 5:00 mark to put his team up by 11 points.
Randolph Morris almost netted a double-double in the first ten minutes with 10 points and 9 boards to close the opening quarter.
In the second outing, the Alex and Caesar Wongchuking-owned squad began showing their tough defense early and sparked a 9-2 run that ballooned their lead to as much as 21 points.
But Oil Sports Iraq made up for their sluggish start by the second quarter that started a shooting barrage led by the mononymous De Mario with three triples to cut Mighty’s lead down to ten points entering halftime, 57-46.
Justin Brownlee mounted an unstoppable attack to score 11 of his 24 points early in the third quarter to skyrocket Mighty’s lead to as much as 23 points.
The fourth period began with a back-and-forth of sorts but Iraq, capable of delivering scoring bursts, quickly took advantage of a Mighty drought to mount a 12-4 run led by Taylor and Hamza to cut the Mighty lead to as close as 6 points.
Mighty still proved too hot for the Iraqis down the stretch when Roosevelt Adams made a pivotal offensive rebound to regain possession followed by a Brickman drive-and-dish to Justin Brownlee to take back a double-digit lead.
Brownlee, who was earlier doubtful due to a bruised knee, was able to play registering 26 points, 9 boards, 7 assists and 3 blocks. Morris posted a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Gomez de Liaño led the locals with 21 points while Adams and Jeremiah Gray chipped in 22 and 20 points apiece. Brickman dished out a game-high 10 assists to go with 6 points.
Iraq’s Taylor and Hamza paced their team posting with 26 and 22 points respectively.
It was the Filipino team’s highest scoring output yet after knocking down a game-high 16 triples.
Mighty, backed by Healthcube, Go For Gold, Oriental Game and SMDC, will proceed to face six-time Dubai league champs Al-Riyadi of Lebanon.
Schedule to be announced soon.