Mighty Sports
Mighty Sports (sometimes referred to as Mighty Sports-Philippines and also known as Mighty Sports - Go for Gold for sponsorship reasons) is a basketball team based in the Philippines playing in various domestic leagues and tournaments in the country such as the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) and the Republica Cup. The team won four championships in the Republica Cup in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.[1]
Mighty Sports | |
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Leagues | PCBL (2016) |
Founded | 2011 |
Team colors | |
Team manager | Wowie Evangelista |
Head coach | Charles Tiu |
Ownership | Mighty Sports Apparel and Accessories |
Championships | Republica Cup: 4 (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) William Jones Cup: 2 (2016, 2019) |
Website | www |
They also have 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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
Mighty Sports is the athletic arm of sportswear manufacturing company Mighty Sports Apparel and Accessories, Inc.
The company introduced in July 2019[5] a newly redesigned logo for both the sports teams and sportswear manufacturing company.
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.[6] 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.[7]
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.[8][9]
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.[10][11]
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.[12]
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.[13][14] They beat team A of host nation Taiwan, who were fielding a second team, on their opening match.[15] They then beat the South Korea national team on their second match.[16] They won their third match against the US team Sacramento State Hornets.[17] They beat Japan on their fourth by a blowout of 21 points.[18] They faced the Indian 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.[19] They cemented the tournament's title by beating Iran on their 6th match.[20] Mighty Sports continued their winning streak by beating Egypt in their seventh match and swept the entire competition beating Taiwanese Team B.[21]
2019
Mighty Sports will once again represent the Philippines in the 2019 William Jones Cup from July 12 to 21 in Chinese-Taipei.[22] Charles Tiu returns to lead the coaching staff and his mentor, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach, Rajko Toroman will be the lead assistant.[23] 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.[24]
Mighty Sports captured their second Jones Cup title after defeating Taiwan-A, 83-76 for a 7–0 record.[25] They then swept the competition after with an 8–0 record.[26]
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.[27] 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.[28][29]
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.[30]
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.[31]
Due to the lack of cohesion and team chemistry, they lost to host team Al Ahli, 83-75[32] in the opening day. In their second game, they lost to the Egypt national basketball team, 84–82,[33] 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.[34] 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.[35]
2019
Mighty Sports participated in the Dubai tournament in February 2019[36][37] with SMDC, Oriental Group, Healthcube and Go for Gold as the team's main sponsors.[38][39][40]
For their 2019 Dubai stint, the team hired the services of former NBA two-time champion Lamar Odom,[41] Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee, and Chinese Basketball Association import Randolph Morris.[42] 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.[43]
The team also signed Fil-Am prospects Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams[44] followed by National University big man Troy Rike to complete the lineup.[45]
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.[46][47][48]
2020
Mighty Sports made their third appearance at the Dubai International Basketball Championship in 2020.[49] 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.[50]
Roster
Current
- 2019 William Jones Cup
The following is the 12-man roster of the Mighty Sports-Go for Gold for the 2019 William Jones Cup.
Mighty Sports-Philippines - 2019 William Jones Cup roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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- 2017 Dubai International Basketball Tournament
The following was the 14-man roster of the PH-Mighty Sports for the 2017 Dubai International Basketball Tournament.[51]
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- 2016 Merlion Cup
The following was the 14-man roster of the PH-Mighty Sports for the 2016 Merlion Cup.[52][53]
Mighty Sports PH - 2016 Merlion Cup roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Depth chart
Pos. | Starting 5 | Bench 1 | Bench 2 | Bench 3 |
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C | Hamady N'diaye | Marcus Douthit | ||
PF | Alford Thornton | Jason Deutchman | ||
SF | Dewarick Spencer | Gabriel Banal | ||
SG | Matthew Wright | Joseph Yeo | Raphael Banal | Edrick Ferrer |
PG | Jason Brickman | Kiefer Ravena | Gelo Alolino | Tyrone Tang |
- 2016 William Jones Cup
The following was the 14-man roster of the Philippine Mighty Sports for the 2016 William Jones Cup.[54]
Mighty Sports PH - 2016 William Jones Cup roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honors
Domestic
- Republica Cup
- Winners (4): 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
- Runner-up (1): 2016 Chairman's Cup
International Invitational
- Runners-up (1): 2016
Notable players
Note: Players mentioned below are NBA Veterans and Naturalized Filipinos ONLY who played and received various awards.
Name | Nationality | Highlight(s) |
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Renaldo Balkman | 2006: NBA draft / Round: 1 / Pick: 20th overall Selected by the New York Knicks 2019: Champion - William Jones Cup 2020: Champion - Dubai International Basketball Tournament | |
Hamady N'Diaye | 2010: NBA draft / Round: 2 / Pick: 56th overall Selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves 2016: Champion - William Jones Cup 2016: 2nd place - Merlion Cup 2019: Champion - William Jones Cup | |
Hasheem Thabeet | 2009: NBA draft / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies | |
Al Thornton | 2007: NBA draft / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers 2016: Champion - William Jones Cup 2016: 2nd place - Merlion Cup | |
Vernon Macklin | 2011: NBA draft / Round: 2 / Pick: 52nd overall Selected by the Detroit Pistons 2016: Champion - William Jones Cup | |
Dominic McGuire | 2007: NBA draft / Round: 2 / Pick: 47th overall Selected by the Washington Wizards | |
Lamar Odom | 1999: NBA draft / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers 2019: 3rd place - Dubai International Basketball Tournament | |
Justin Brownlee | 2019: 3rd place - Dubai International Basketball Tournament | |
Marcus Douthit | 2016: 2nd place - Merlion Cup | |
Andray Blatche | 2005: NBA draft / Round: 2 / Pick: 49th overall Selected by the Washington Wizards 2020: Champion - Dubai International Basketball Tournament |
References
- "Mighty Sports bags 4th Republica Cup Invitational title". BusinessMirror. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- "MPBL: Bulacan uses strong inside presence, as Kuyas bully expansion club Rizal". ABS-CBN News. June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- "TENG LEADS MIGHTY-PH TO JONES CUP". Malaya. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- Li, Matthew. "Mighty Sports PH set to make Jones Cup return". Tiebreaker Times. Tiebreaker Times.
- Wongchuking, Caesar. "Who We Are". Mighty Sports Apparel Official Website. Caesar Wongchuking. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- "Aquino, Duremdes star as Mighty Sports wins Republika Cup in Malolos". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- "Ravena stars as Mighty Sports reclaims Republica Cup". The Philippine Star. February 6, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- Talao, Tito (March 3, 2016). "Ravena banners Mighty in PCBL". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- Lagunzad, Jerome (March 1, 2016). "RJoining Mighty Sports to strengthen Bright Akhuetie for NCAA return". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
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- "PCBL Chairman's Cup gets underway". Journal Online. March 5, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- Dy, Adrian (March 7, 2016). "Kiefer Ravena, Mighty Sports upset Jumbo Plastic in PCBL Chairman's Cup opener". Slam Online. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- 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.
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- "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.
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/al-thornton-keeps-promise-scores-24-in-mighty-sports-rout-of-korea-in-jones-cup
- Beltran, Nelson (26 July 2016). "Mighty Sports on a roll, routs Sacramento State in Jones Cup". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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- http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2019/5/20/mighty-sports-jones-cup-philippines.html
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- INQUIRER.net. "Ravena, Mighty Sports PH lose title game at the buzzer". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
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- "Mighty Sports faces baptism of fire against home side Al Ahli in Dubai invitational". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
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- "Fil-Am prospects Gray, Adamson boost Mighty Sports squad for Dubai tilt". SPIN.ph. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
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- Li, Matthew. "Mighty Sports assures: Juan Gomez de Liano, Justin Gutang cleared by mother leagues". Tiebreaker Times. Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- "2 Fil-Ams complete Mighty Sports five". Manila Standard. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- "Troy Rike completes Mighty Sports-PH team". Tiebreaker Times. January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- Ballesteros, Jan (February 10, 2019). "Mighty Sports claim best-ever 3rd place in Dubai tournament". ESPN. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- Share; Twitter. "Mighty Sports finishes 3rd in Dubai tourney". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
- "Mighty Sports books 3rd spot in Dubai hoops". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
- "Andray Blatche returns to beef up Mighty Sports in Dubai Invitational". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (2 February 2020). "Mighty Sports pulls out historic win in Dubai tourney". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
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- http://www.slamonlineph.com/look-mighty-sports-ph-roster-for-2016-william-jones-cup-revealed Roster of Mighty Sports for 38th Jones Cup