Mighty-PH loses to Egypt
NEW ORLEANS (AFP) Glenn Robinson scored a perfect 50 on his final dunk to capture the NBA All Star Game's slam dunk title Saturday after leaping over three people for a dynamic two-handed reverse jam.
Indiana Pacers forward Robinson jumped over teammate Paul George, the club's mascot and a Pacer cheerleader to easily win the contest over Phoenix Suns rookie Derrick Jones.
''I wanted to bring some energy to the competition,'' Robinson said. ''I wanted to do something no one has ever seen.''
In the final round, Robinson faced off against Jones, who advanced from the four original competitors. The Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan and the Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon were eliminated in the earlier rounds.
The NBA has struggled to get its marquee players in the slam dunk contest and that was underlined by the inclusion
Games Tuesday (Al Ahli gym) 5 p.m. – Al Riyade vs Ball Above All 7 p.m. – Egypt vs Sagese 9 p.m. – Homenetmen vs Mighty Sports-PH
DUBAI – For the second straight night, Mighty Sports-Philippines fell short in its comeback bid, dropping a heart-breaking 84-82 decision to Egypt national team in the 28th Dubai International Basketball Championship Saturdayhere.
But the good side was that Kiefer Ravena and finally Jeron Teng showed why they’re fancied as future PBA stars by coming through with courageous performances against their taller and heftier this year of the undrafted Jones.
Very few NBA fans know who Jones is as he has played just 24 minutes this season in the league after spending the majority of his rookie campaign with Phoenix's development league team, the Northern Arizona Suns.
Jones didn't record his first dunk in the NBA until Wednesday night's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Robinson's perfect 50 on the winning dunk gave him a two-dunk total of 94 in the finals. He ran from the right side, grabbed the ball, and leaped over the trio, ducking his head to prevent himself from hitting the rim.
''My head was at the rim,'' Robinson said. ''I'm an explosive player.
''I got some great help to get this done. On a couple of dunks my head was at the rim.''
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon, the NBA's leading three-point shooter this season, defeated Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving in Egyptian defenders.
The 6-foot Ravena, who finished with 10 points, had a chance to win it for Mighty, but his three-point shot rattled in and out at the buzzer.
Teng, on the other hand, bounced back from a scoreless outing against Sale of Morocco by tallying 9 points against the rugged Egyptians who took an 18-point lead, 60-42 late in the third quarter.
Teng’s completed three-point play to start off the fourth frame ignited Mighty Sports’ comeback that had the crowd on their feet.
But the Egyptians used the free throw area as escape route, making all but two of their 16 charities in the payoff period to frustrate the Mighty Sports cagers. the overtime round of the All-Star Three-Point Contest, scoring 21 points to Irving's 18 in the extra period.
Gordon nailed several clutch jumpers, including a final shot in the second round to send the contest into overtime.
''It's all about getting hot,'' Gordon said. ''All of us know, as shooters, anybody can get hot on any given night. Tonight was my night. As shooters, it's all about being consistent.''
The biggest surprise in the first round of the Three-Point Contest was that reigning champ Klay Thompson was knocked out after scoring just 18 points.
The loss put Mighty Sports’ semis bid in peril as it needs to win all its four games, including three against top Lebanese teams.
The game was halted for about five minutes after Egypt’s 7-foot-5 Hamad Abouelrish elbowed Beau Belga at midcourt that saw Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu confront the hulking center.
Despite the loss, Tiu commended the valiant efforts of his boys, saying: “Don’t lose hope, we’re improving and be proud.”
The scores:
Okasha 24, Abdelhalim 20, Abdallah 10, Aboushousha 8, Mostafa 7, Elgammal 5, Said 4, Oraby 4, Abouelrish 2, Tawfik 0, Eldahsnan 0. Brownlee 27, Ravena 10, Thabeet 9, Teng 9, McGuire 8, Belga 7, Intal 3, David 3, Douthit 2,Miller 2, Tiu 2, Arana 0. Quarters: 19-22, 45-33, 60-48, 84-82.