MIGHTY Sports hopes to quickly find the rhythm as a team, with Lamar Odom set to arrive a day before the first official team practice for the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship next week.
The former Lakers star is set to arrive on Wednesday, just a day after the return of Barangay Ginebra resident import Justine Brownlee to the country.
Coach Charles Tiu is hoping Odom and Brownlee show up already in game form.
“That’s what I’m wishing for when I’ll see them on Wednesday as they will be up against teams who have been playing together for years. We have little time to prepare,” said Tiu. “Given the situation and toughness of the competition, there’s a possibility that they will play extended minutes on the floor.”
The team will have its first official practice together on Thursday for the Feb. 1 to 9 tournament in Dubai.
Odom, 39, has been posting his training regimen on his Instagram account while Brownlee looks good in his video message to the team backed by SMDC, Go For Gold, Healthcube and Oriental Group.
“We will play almost every day so it’s important na may stamina na sila,” said team owner Alex Wongchuking noting the team will play against some of the best teams in the Middle East, including Lebanon and Jordan.
Also joining the team are former PBA star Joseph Yeo, Gab Banal, University of the Philippines playmaker Juan Gomez de Liano, La Salle’s Santi Santillan, College of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang, NU’s Troy Rike and ex-Ginebra player Jet Manuel.
Veteran coach Jong Uichico will be Tiu’s assistant along with Woody Co.
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