By Adrian Stewart Co

Mighty Sports-Philippines survived a run by the Emirati national team to score an 86-78 win in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Saturday at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, UAE.

Randolph Morris led the way with 20 points for the Philippines squad, with 15 coming in the opening half; while Justin Brownlee added a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds.

It was the second straight win in as many games for the Charles Tiu-mentored side following their lopsided 87-58 victory over American University-Dubai last week.

The Philippines was dominant from the start with Morris and Brownlee making their presence felt for a 49-36 advantage. However, the UAE did not easily give up as it mounted a fight back to come to within nine points. It eventually proved to be their last stand as baskets from Brownlee and Morris returned the Philippines to a double-digit lead.

Mighty Sports-Philippines next faces defending Lebanese Basketball League champions Homenetmen Beirut on Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila)./ASC, WDJ