Mighty Sports-Philippines recently opened the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championships with an 88-82 win over the United Arab Emirates at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.
The Philippine side set the tone early with an 11-2 start behind Andray Blatche, Jamie Malonzo, and Mikey Williams; however, the UAE narrowed their deficit in the second quarter and got to within 41-37 at halftime.
Into the third, the home side took a 58-53 lead before Renaldo Balkman and Blatche tied things up for the Philippines at 78-78. Split free throws by Blatche, followed by a triple from Williams and a layup by Balkman, pushed the Philippine squad ahead, 84-78.
The UAE continued to push as a triple by Rashed Ayman and split free throws by Fadi El Khatib got them to within 84-82 with under a minute left; but free throws by Williams and a layup from Ferdinand ‘Thirdy’ Ravena III iced the win for the Philippines.

Jelan Kendrick top-scored for the Philippines with 19 points; while Williams, Blatche, and Balkman each contributed 15./ASC, WDJ