Strong Group escapes Libya side in Dubai tournament

FILE – Dwight Howard and the Strong Group Athletics team in the e Dubai International Basketball Championship. –SGA FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics (SGA) finished the group stage with a 5-0 record after overcoming Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya, 91-89, in the Dubai International Basketball Championship on Thursday (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club.

After its dominant showing in their first four games, the Philippine side needed to overcome a double-digit deficit and break a deadlock at 81-all before Dwight Howard sparked an 8-1 run for an 89-82 breather in the last two minutes. 

The Libyan team, however, banked on the clutch shots of Mohamed Sadi and Nicholas West to cut it down to one, 89-88. Jordan Heading sealed the win with a pair clutch of free throws for a 91-88 lead with 18 seconds left as Al Ahly Tripoli missed its final attempts.

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Heading led the way for Strong Group with 19 points off five triples to go with five assists, coming off the bench. Howard had 17 points and eight rebounds. Kevin Quiambao also delivered 17 points. 

Andre Roberson chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, as Andray Blatch added 10 points and six rebounds as they head to the quarterfinal round unbeaten.

Naseim Badrush led Al Ahly Tripoli with 27 points. Mohammed Sadi had 22 points, while Walter Munoz added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Strong Group vs Al Ahly Tripoli scores:

Strong Group (91) – Heading 19, Howard 17, Quiambao 17, Roberson 13, Blatche 10, Moore 7, Baltazar 3, Liwag 3, Escandor 2, Ynot 0

Al Ahli Tripoli (89) – Badrush 27, Sadi 22, Munoz 17, West 10, Wesley 6, Dawo 5, Ramadan 2, Abdrahim 0, A Sedek 0

Quarterscores: 20-27, 51-50, 74-73, 91-89.