Strong Group sweeps way to Dubai quarters, Valientes go winless
Strong Group’s Malachi Richardson shoots during a game against Amman United Club in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.–SGA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics completed a four-game sweep of the group stage to enter the quarterfinals while Zamboanga Valientes ended up winless in their campaign in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Strong Group turned to Malachi Richardson to beat Amman United Club, 84-75, and go undefeated in Group A on Thursday (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club in Doha.
Article continues after this advertisementRichardson, a former NBA player, fired six triples to finish with a game-high 24 points and set a knockout quarterfinal game against Al Sharjah on Friday (Manila time).
READ: Strong Group remains unscathed in Dubai after win over Beirut
The Philippine club led as many as 17 points in the fourth but Amman turned it into a two-possession deficit, 77-71, after Fadi Mustafa scored at the 3:39 mark.
Richardson stopped the bleeding by nailing the dagger trey with 2:22 left to keep the Jordanians at bay.
Article continues after this advertisementChris McCullough, who was limited to six points in their 85-78 win over Beirut First on Monday, bounced back with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. DeMarcus Cousins and Andray Blatche saw limited action but Rhenz Abando played instrumental with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Amman turned to Mustafa, who had 20 points, and Henry Sims’ double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.
READ: Strong Group improves to 2-0, Valientes fall in Dubai debut
Meanwhile, Zamboanga Valientes ended up winless in four games, packing their bags with a lopsided 95-59 loss to the Tunisia national team on Thursday.
Tunisia, who led as many as 42 points late in the fourth, banked on Wassef Methnani and Omar Abada leading the way with 17 and 15 points, respectively, forging a quarterfinal game against Amman.
Sam Deguara carried Zamboanga with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Nic Cabañero had 14 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Prince Caperal added 13 points and four rebounds.