Mighty Sports become the first Filipino winners of the Dubai International

Mighty Sports gave Philippine basketball its first title in the history of the Dubai International, beating holders Al Riyadi of Lebanon by 11 points, 92-81, in the final at the close of the tournament's 31st edition. It had run since 23 January at the Maktoum bin Mohammed hall at Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai, with 11 of the leading national teams and clubs of Asia and Africa competing for the title.

The closing day also saw Sale of Morocco take the last place on the podium and the bronze medal, beating Hoops of Lebanon 84-64.

After the competition ended, Major General Ismail Al Qarqawi, president of the Arab and UAE basketball federations, accompanied by Khalid Al Midfa, assistant secretary general of the General Authority of Sports, representatives of the 31st edition's sponsors, members of the boards of both the Arab and UAE federations, and the heads of the competing delegations, presented Sale with the bronze medals, Al Riyadi with the silver, and Mighty Sports with the gold and the trophy.

The win puts the Philippines on the list of countries to have won the tournament, which includes Lebanon, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, the Balkans, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, and denied record-holders Al Riyadi an eighth title.