Mighty Sports-Philippines finished third in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship after defeating Lebanese Basketball League champions Homenetmen Beirut, 91-76, in a consolation match over the weekend at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, UAE.

Jett Manuel top-scored with 19 points for the Philippines; while Randolph Morris added 11, and Justin Brownlee and Roosevelt Adams each contributed 10.

Third place is the highest finish by the Philippine team in the annual tournament.

From a seesaw battle at the onset of the game, the Philippines created distance in the second quarter behind Adams, Jeremiah Gray, Juan Gomez de Liano, and Leonard Santillan for a 42-34 halftime lead.

They continued to widen the advantage in the third period with Manuel gaining his shooting touch and former NBA player Lamar Odom also making his presence felt for a 67-54 lead.

Homenetmen Beirut was not able to hide its frustration after being tagged with technical fouls, along with the ejection of Walter Munoz.

The Philippines squad managed to cruise to its largest lead of 21 points on a basket by Troy Rike./ASC, WDJ