Strong Group remains unscathed in Dubai after win over Beirut
Former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins representing Philippine team Strong Group Athletics in the 2025 Dubai International Basketball Championship. –DUBAI BASKETBALL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Strong Group Athletics became the sole top seed in the 2025 Dubai International Basketball Championship following a statement win over Beirut First, 85-78, in Group A action at Al Nasr Club in UAE on Tuesday.
Following up on its dominant win over Al Nasr on Sunday, 99-87, Strong Group kept its momentum going with its third straight win for a 3-0 record, beating Beirut, which was also undefeated after two games prior to its loss to the Philippine-side squad.
SCHEDULE: Strong Group, Valientes at Dubai Basketball Championship
The victory over Beirut First allows Strong Group to sweep the group stage and punch a ticket to the Dubai tilt’s next phase when it faces Amman United on Thursday.
NBA veteran DeMarcus Cousins led the way for Strong Group with a monster double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds plus two steals and a block to match. The former Taiwan T1 League MVP was also efficient in the offensive side of things, making eight of his 16 tries from the field.
Ateneo product and former Korean Basketball League swingman Dave Ildefonso helped the cause for Strong Group with 12 points while fellow Blue Eagle standout Ange Kouame finished just two rebounds shy of a double-double with 14 points and eight boards.
READ: Strong Group holds off UAE national team in Dubai opener
Sergio El Darwich locked in with 26 points for Beirut First but to no avail, much like how Mohamad Ali Haidar’s 18-point night was put to waste.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga Valientes remained winless in Group B after two grueling losses, most recently at the hands of Al Ahly Tripoli.
Tripoli defeated Valientes, 107-84, on Sunday behind Mohamad Sadi’s 25-point explosion and Wuat Alok’s 24-piece night.
Sam Deguara made some noise for Zamboanga with 25 points and eight rebounds but it still wasn’t enough to give Valientes its first win in the Dubai games.
