While former Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom has been doing almost everything to be in tip-top shape, Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu expressed apprehension after learning that three top Middle East teams will also compete in the Dubai International Basketball Tournament slated 1 to 9 February.

Aside from reigning titlist Coastal Star of Tunisia, Mighty Sports might also face the national teams of Jordan and Al Riyadi of Lebanon depending on which group it will play in the preliminaries of the 10-team tournament.

Adding to Tiu’s concerns is the fact the team has yet to practice together so it needs to work double time if it wants to contend for the title.

“That’s a big challenge, while other teams have been playing together for a couple of years now, we will only have at least seven practice days. I think we need a miracle this time,” Tiu said.

Team owner Alex Wongchuking echoed Tiu’s observation, saying the team, also sponsored by Healthcube, Go For Gold and Oriental Group, is hard-pressed to mirror its impressive 2016 Jones Cup sweep in Taiwan and a runner-up finish in the Merlion Cup — also on the same year.