Mighty_Sports

Mighty Sports

Mighty Sports

Basketball team

Mighty Sports (sometimes referred to as Mighty Sports - Go For Gold for sponsorship reasons) is a basketball team based in the Philippines playing in various domestic tournaments. The team won four championships in the Republica Cup in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.[1]

Quick Facts Founded, Team colors ...

The team represented the Philippines when they participated in the 2016 William Jones Cup in Taiwan, their first international tournament which they won with a sweep bearing a record of 8–0.[2]

They have competed in the Dubai International Basketball Championship participating in the 2017, 2019, 2020 editions. They became the first team based outside the Middle East to win the Dubai tournament in the 2020 edition. The squad was also the Philippine representative in the 2019 William Jones Cup.[3]

Mighty Sports is the athletic arm of sportswear manufacturing company Mighty Sports Apparel and Accessories, Inc.

Competitive record

Republica Cup

Mighty Sports became first known to basketball fans in minor basketball leagues such as the Republica Cup (an invitational basketball tournament held in Malolos, Bulacan as part of the commemoration of the First Philippine Republic, known as the Malolos Convention). It also sponsored the Adamson Falcons men's basketball team and the Bulacan State University Golden Gears men's basketball team in the Filsports Basketball Association, and the Philippine Dragon Boat Team.

In 2014, the team, led by former PBA player Kenneth Duremdes and Kris Rosales, bagged the second Republica Cup title, after winning the finals game against Malolos Republica, 86–84.[4] One year later, the team did not make it to the finals after losing the semifinals match against AMA University.

On February 4, 2016, Mighty Sports, now-led by former UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena, successfully reclaimed the Republica Cup championship, beating Hobe Mackway Travel in the finals game, 85–82. In addition, Bright Akhuetie was named as the Tournament MVP.[5]

Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League

In March 2016, the team joined the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League. Historically, this is the first entry into a major basketball league. Ravena, a 2016 PBA draft prospect, together with Ty Tang, who came out of retirement in the Philippine Basketball Association, and import Bright Akhuetie are some of the players who retained in the team's line-up for the Champion's Cup.[6][7]

Mighty Sports also appointed Bo Perasol as team consultant, Mike Fermin as head coach and Charles Tiu as assistant coach of the team, which is one of the two new teams that competed in the 2016 PCBL Chairman's Cup, alongside SCTEX Road Warriors.[8][9]

On its first game, Mighty Sports completes an upset victory against Founder's Cup champion Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants, 79–70 in the opening day of Champion's Cup on March 6, 2016. Ravena led the team's campaign with 16 points.[10]

William Jones Cup

2016

The team represented the Philippines in the 2016 William Jones Cup, with 7 foreign reinforcements leading the team, in lieu of the Gilas Cadets who were not available for playing.[11][12] They beat team A of host nation Taiwan, who were fielding a second team, on their opening match.[13] They then beat the South Korea national team on their second match.[14] They won their third match against the US team Sacramento State Hornets.[15] They beat Japan on their fourth by a blowout of 21 points.[16] They faced the India national team on their fifth match and won by a 20 points margin to remain the only unbeaten team as of the 6th day of the tournament.[17] They cemented the tournament's title by beating Iran on their 6th match.[18] Mighty Sports continued their winning streak by beating Egypt in their seventh match and swept the entire competition beating Taiwanese Team B.[19]

2019

Mighty Sports will once again represent the Philippines in the 2019 William Jones Cup from July 12 to 21 in Chinese-Taipei.[20] Charles Tiu returns to lead the coaching staff and his mentor, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach, Rajko Toroman will be the lead assistant.[21] It was also announced that Jeremiah Gray, Roosevelt Adams, Aaron Black, 2019 MPBL Datu Cup MVP Gab Banal, Jason Brickman and Joseph Yeo will suit up for the team.[22]

Mighty Sports captured their second Jones Cup title after defeating Taiwan-A, 83-76 for a 7–0 record.[23] They then swept the competition after with an 8–0 record.[24]

Merlion Cup

Singapore's Merlion Cup Tournament was revived in 2016 and the Mighty Sports were invited as the Philippines' representative. They beat the Seoul Samsung Thunders on their opening match.[25] They advanced into the semifinals round after beating Westports Malaysia Dragons, and eventually won against Singapore Slingers. They advanced in the finals and faced Shanghai Sharks in which they suffered a defeat, placing them in second after Jimmer Fredette scored three freethrows with no time left on the clock.[26][27]

Dubai International Basketball Tournament

2017

Mighty Sports joined the 2017 Dubai International Basketball Championship with only a couple of weeks to prepare. The tournament took place from February 18 to 25, 2017.[28]

Mighty Sports was led by NBA veterans Hasheem Thabeet, Dominic McGuire, Justin Brownlee and naturalized player Marcus Douthit. Chris Tiu and center Beau Belga bannered the local cast along with other PBA veterans JC Intal, Gary David, Ryan Araña and two-time PBA MVP Willie Miller who were added in the team's lineup. Amateur standouts Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng and Jett Manuel were also added in the team's roster.[29]

Due to the lack of cohesion and team chemistry, they lost to host team Al Ahli, 83-75[30] in the opening day. In their second game, they lost to the Egypt national basketball team, 84–82,[31] after Ravena's three point attempt, in the last 6 seconds of the game, failed. The day after, they also lost in a close game to Lebanese powerhouse Sagesse 95–92.[32] The team managed to beat Ball Above All with a score of 94–80 to end their stint in the tournament with a single win.[33]

2019

Mighty Sports participated in the Dubai tournament in February 2019[34][35] with SMDC, Oriental Group, Healthcube and Go for Gold as the team's main sponsors.[36][37][38]

For their 2019 Dubai stint, the team hired the services of former NBA two-time champion Lamar Odom,[39] Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee, and Chinese Basketball Association import Randolph Morris.[40] Notable local signings include former Ginebra guard Jett Manuel, University of the Philippines playmaker Juan Gomez de Liano, Gabriel Banal, Joseph Yeo, La Salle forward Santi Santillan, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde high flyer Justin Gutang and Mono Vampire guard Jason Brickman.[41]

The team also signed Fil-Am prospects Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams[42] followed by National University big man Troy Rike to complete the lineup.[43]

Mighty Sports finished third winning over the Homenetmen Lebanon in the third-place play off. They only lost once, to Lebanese club Al Riyadi in the semifinal.[44][45][46]

2020

Mighty Sports made their third appearance at the Dubai International Basketball Championship in 2020.[47] They became the first team based outside the Middle East to win the tournament when they won 92–81 over Al Riyadi Beirut in the final. Mighty Sports player Renaldo Balkman was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.[48]

2023

For the 2023 Dubai International Basketball Championship, Mighty Sport itself would not be returning. Instead Strong Group Realty of Jacob Lao, which Mighty and Acto City sponsored, competed in their stead.[49][50] Strong Group, also coached by Charles Tiu, failed to repeat Mighty's feat, and finished as quarterfinalists.[51]

Partnerships

Mighty Sports had a partnership with the Bulacan Kuyas of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in the 2018 MPBL Datu Cup as the team's corporate sponsor.[52] In 2023, Mighty Sport sponsored Strong Group Realty's team which entered the 2023 Dubai International Basketball Championship.[49]

Brand image

The sportswear manufacturing company behind Mighty Sports adopted its logo in July 2019 which is also used by its sports teams. It consist of an "M" with a three-pronged crown.[53]

Roster

2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship

The following is the 12-man roster of the Mighty Sports-Go for Gold for the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship.

More information Players, Coaches ...

Past

2019 William Jones Cup

The following is the 12-man roster of the Mighty Sports-Go for Gold for the 2019 William Jones Cup.

More information Players, Coaches ...
2017 Dubai International Basketball Tournament

The following was the 14-man roster of the PH-Mighty Sports for the 2017 Dubai International Basketball Tournament.[54]

More information Players, Coaches ...
2016 Merlion Cup

The following was the 14-man roster of the PH-Mighty Sports for the 2016 Merlion Cup.[55][56]

More information Players, Coaches ...

Depth chart

More information Pos., Starting 5 ...
2016 William Jones Cup

The following was the 14-man roster of the Philippine Mighty Sports for the 2016 William Jones Cup.[57]

More information Players, Coaches ...

Honors

Domestic

  • Republica Cup
Winners (4): 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
Runner-up (1): 2016 Chairman's Cup

International Invitational

Winners (2): 2016, 2019
Runners-up (1): 2016

Notable players

More information Name, Nationality ...

See also

Strong Group Athletics

References

  1. [1]
    "Mighty Sports bags 4th Republica Cup Invitational title". BusinessMirror. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  2. [2]
    "TENG LEADS MIGHTY-PH TO JONES CUP". Malaya. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  3. [3]
    Li, Matthew (10 May 2019). "Mighty Sports PH set to make Jones Cup return". Tiebreaker Times. Tiebreaker Times.
  4. [4]
    "Aquino, Duremdes star as Mighty Sports wins Republika Cup in Malolos". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  5. [5]
    "Ravena stars as Mighty Sports reclaims Republica Cup". The Philippine Star. February 6, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  6. [6]
    Talao, Tito (March 3, 2016). "Ravena banners Mighty in PCBL". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  7. [7]
    Lagunzad, Jerome (March 1, 2016). "RJoining Mighty Sports to strengthen Bright Akhuetie for NCAA return". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  8. [8]
    Terrado, Reuben (February 6, 2016). "Mighty Sports thinking big, ready to take act to fledgling PCBL". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  9. [9]
    "PCBL Chairman's Cup gets underway". Journal Online. March 5, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  10. [10]
    Dy, Adrian (March 7, 2016). "Kiefer Ravena, Mighty Sports upset Jumbo Plastic in PCBL Chairman's Cup opener". Slam Online. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  11. [11]
    The wires (3 July 2016). "Teng brothers, Dozier confirm to lead Mighty Sports quest for Jones Cup title". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  12. [12]
    Beltran, Nelson (July 25, 2016). "Mighty Sports defends fielding seven imports in Jones Cup". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. [13]
    "PH-Mighty Sports opens Jones Cup with huge victory over hosts Chinese Taipei A". InterAksyon. 24 July 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  14. [14]
    "Mighty Sports stays unbeaten in Jones Cup after rout of South Korea".
  15. [15]
    Beltran, Nelson (26 July 2016). "Mighty Sports on a roll, routs Sacramento State in Jones Cup". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  16. [16]
    "PH-Mighty Sports improves to 4-0 in #JonesCup2016 after thumping Japan". InterAksyon. 27 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  17. [17]
    "Jones Cup: Al Thornton drops 30 as unbeaten PH-Mighty Sports shrugs off India scare". InterAksyon. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  18. [18]
    "PH-Mighty Sports flexes muscles against gutsy Iran for 6th straight Jones Cup win". InterAksyon. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  19. [19]
    Joble, Rey (31 July 2016). "After Jones Cup success, Mighty Sports joining Merlion Cup in Singapore, eyeing D-League, ABL". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  20. [20]
    "Returning Mighty Sports PH hopes to repeat success in Jones Cup". Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  21. [21]
    Li, Matthew (21 May 2019). "Charles Tiu to reunite with mentor Rajko Toroman in Mighty Sports". Tiebreaker Times. Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  22. [22]
    Marquez, CJ. "Returning Mighty Sports PH hopes to repeat success in Jones Cup". CNN Philippines. CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  23. [23]
    "Mighty Sports wraps up second Jones Cup title after rout of Taipei".
  24. [24]
    "Sports".
  25. [25]
    "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2016-09-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. [26]
    "PH-Mighty Sports through to Merlion Cup finals after escaping Singapore Slingers". InterAksyon. September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  27. [27]
    INQUIRER.net (25 September 2016). "Ravena, Mighty Sports PH lose title game at the buzzer". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  28. [28]
    Bulletin, The Manila. "Mighty Sports raring to show might in Dubai". Manila Bulletin Sports. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  29. [29]
    "Mighty Sports faces baptism of fire against home side Al Ahli in Dubai invitational". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  30. [30]
    "Sale Morocco leans on Brandon Freeman hot hands as Mighty Sports ambushed in Dubai debut". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  31. [31]
    "Mighty Sports suffers second straight loss as late rally against Egypt falls short". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  32. [32]
    "Sagesse keeps Mighty Sports winless after another heartbreaker in Dubai cage meet". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  33. [33]
    "Timely Gary David explosion enough to help Mighty Sports end Dubai stint on winning note". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  34. [34]
    Lozada, Bong (2 February 2019). "Mighty Sports kicks off Dubai campaign on high note". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  35. [35]
    Giongco, Mark (19 December 2018). "Ex-NBA star Lamar Odom to suit up for Philippines' Mighty Sports in Dubai tilt". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  36. [36]
    "Fil-Am prospects Gray, Adamson boost Mighty Sports squad for Dubai tilt". SPIN.ph. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  37. [37]
    "Brownlee sees deep run for Mighty Sports". Manila Standard. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  38. [38]
    Saldajeno, Ivan. "How did Mighty Sports acquire Odom? Wongchuking explains". Dugout Philippines. Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  39. [39]
    "Lamar Odom to suit up for Mighty Sports PH in Dubai tilt". Mighty Sports. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  40. [40]
    "Former LA Laker Odom, Brownlee lead Mighty Sports". Manila Bulletin. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  41. [41]
    Li, Matthew (27 January 2019). "Mighty Sports assures: Juan Gomez de Liano, Justin Gutang cleared by mother leagues". Tiebreaker Times. Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  42. [42]
    "2 Fil-Ams complete Mighty Sports five". Manila Standard. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  43. [43]
    "Troy Rike completes Mighty Sports-PH team". Tiebreaker Times. January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  44. [44]
    Ballesteros, Jan (February 10, 2019). "Mighty Sports claim best-ever 3rd place in Dubai tournament". ESPN. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  45. [45]
    Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart. "Mighty Sports finishes 3rd in Dubai tourney". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  46. [46]
    "Mighty Sports books 3rd spot in Dubai hoops". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  47. [47]
    "Andray Blatche returns to beef up Mighty Sports in Dubai Invitational". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  48. [48]
    Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (2 February 2020). "Mighty Sports pulls out historic win in Dubai tourney". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  49. [49]
    "Strong Group begins Dubai campaign vs UAE national team". Manila Bulletin. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  50. [50]
    Li, Matthew (23 December 2022). "Mighty Sports gives way as Jacob Lao's Strong Group to rep PH in Dubai meet". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  51. [51]
    Agcaoili, Lance (3 February 2023). "Strong Group-PH bows out of contention in Dubai". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  52. [52]
    "MPBL: Bulacan uses strong inside presence, as Kuyas bully expansion club Rizal". ABS-CBN News. June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  53. [53]
    Wongchuking, Caesar. "Who We Are". Mighty Sports Apparel Official Website. Caesar Wongchuking. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  54. [54]
    "Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu eyes redemption in Dubai after Merlion Cup heartbreak".
  55. [55]
    "'Kuya' Marcus Douthit to suit up for PH's Mighty Sports in Merlion Cup | InterAksyon.com | Sports5". www.interaksyon.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-03.
  56. [56]
    "Yeo, Ravena to reinforce Mighty Sports in Merlion Cup". The Philippine STAR.
  57. [57]
    http://www.slamonlineph.com/look-mighty-sports-ph-roster-for-2016-william-jones-cup-revealed Roster of Mighty Sports for 38th Jones Cup
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Mighty_Sports, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.