DUBAI—Mighty Sports-Philippines put on another gallant fight, but its upset bid was dodged for the second straight night as it bowed to Sagese of Lebanon, 95-92, in the Dubai International Basketball Championship Sunday at the Dubai Indoor Stadium here.
Like in its 84-82 defeat to Egypt national team Saturday, Mighty Sports had a chance to salvage the game, but to another disappointment of a huge Filipino crowd, Beau Belga’s potential game-tying three fell short.
With its third straight loss in as many games, Mighty Sports’ semis bid in the tournament considered by many as much tougher than the Jones Cup was put in peril.
It will face the fancied Homenetmen on Tuesday before going up against early semifinalist Al Riyadi on Wednesday.
Homenetmen and Al Riyadi are two of Lebanon’s well-decorated teams.
While Mighty Sports made a huge improvement when it comes to outside shooting, its defense was still a suspect as it was shattered time and again by prodigious American import Terrell Stoglin.
The shifty guard erupted for a season-high 46 points, highlighted by 9 triples to negate Kiefer Ravena’s 25-point show.
The crowd went wild as Chris Tiu buried his second triple to give Mighty Sports a 78-71 lead early in the fourth.
But Stoglin led the team’s 11-1 counter attack as Segase regained the lead which they protected gallantly to frustrate Mighty Sports.
The Scores
SAGESE 95—Stoglin 46, Todd 18, Efebra 17, Bou 8, Ammoury 3, Godfrey 2, Ibrahim 1, Ghottas 0, Beyrouthy 0.
MIGHTY SPORTS 92 —Brownlee 27, Ravena 25, McGuire 10, Douthit 7, Tiu 6, David 6, Belga 5, Teng 4, Miller 0, Thabeet 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 46-41, 69-74, 95-92.
Games Today
(Al Ahli Indoor Stadium)
5 p.m. – Al Riyade vs Ball Above All
7 p.m. – Egypt vs Sagese
9 p.m. – Homenetmen vs Mighty Sports