Mighty goes for PCBL title against Jumbo

MANILA, Philippines – Powerhouse Mighty Sports seeks to finish off Jumbo Plastic today and complete a Cinderella run in the PCBL Chairman’s Cup at the Marikina Sports Center.

Mighty Sports fashioned out a 79-67 victory in Game One of their best-of-three series and is fancied to score a repeat in their 7 p.m. encounter where main men Kiefer Ravena and Bright Akhuetie are likewise expected to clinch the individual honors.

Ravena is likely to receive the Chairman’s Cup MVP trophy during awards rites after the battle for third between Sta. Lucia Realty and Euro-Med at 5 p.m.

Akhuetie is also a cinch to win the Best Import plum as Mighty Sports’ 1-2 punch has become a picture of consistency all conference long.

But Mighty Sports coach Mike Fermin wants his team to focus on the championship more than the individual honors as they try to cap their impressive campaign in the tournament supported by Hahn Manila, Spalding, Leatherman, Ambucore, LGR, and During’s Barbeque and Restaurant.  

“We’ll go for it in Game 2. We’ll be in trouble if the series goes to a sudden death since Jumbo is a veteran team and has a championship experience,” said Fermin.

But even without some of its stalwarts, Mighty Sports still proved it can win big games convincingly.

Playing sans Kevin Ferrer and ex-pro TY Tang in the series opener, Mighty Sports stamped its class and dominated Jumbo Plastic from start to finish en route to a 12-point romp.

The two-time UAAP MVP Ravena knocked in 15 of his 20 points in the second half while Akhuetie put on another double-double performance of 18 points and 19 rebounds to power the team closer to the championship. 

But the Linoleum Giants are out to foil Mighty Sports’ sweep bid with Jeff Viernes, last conference’s Finals MVP, and ex-Powerade guard James Martinez expected to step up along with Jay-R Taganas.