Strong Group dominates to open Dubai campaign

FILE–Andre Roberson.–STRONG GROUP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics (SGA) jumpstarted its Dubai International Basketball Championship campaign with an 82-66 rout of the United Arab Emirates national team on Saturday morning (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club.

The Philippine side leaned on its former NBA players as ex-Oklahoma City Thunder Andre Roberson proved that he is still an elite two-way player with 15 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

Dwight Howard only needed under 20 minutes to impose his dominance in the first two quarters finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals in his first stint for a Philippine club.

Howard, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, made highlight dunks including a massive two-handed slam that led to a stoppage late in the opening period as the officials had to check the rim with Strong Group leading UAE, 20-19, with 1:49 left.

FILE–Dwight Howard dunks during a Strong Group open practice in Makati.–STRONG GROUP PHOTO

Besides the ex-NBA players, UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao also shone with 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists, joining hands with Roberson to pull away in the third quarter with a 60-42 spread.

Allen Liwag tallied the biggest lead of 21 points with a turnaround jumper for a 70-49 lead before UAE cut it down to 11, 77-66, after Omar Alameeri’s three-point play in the last two minutes. But Jordan Heading sealed the win with a layup at the 1:30 mark, 79-66.

Heading finished with eight points and five rebounds, while Justine Baltazar tallied four points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

SGA battles Al Wahda Sports Club of Syria on Saturday at 9:15 p.m. (Manila time) as it tries to surpass its quarterfinals exit last year.

Hamid Abdullateef led UAE with 19 points and a pair of blocks. Demarco Dickerson had 13 points and seven rebounds, while Alameeri and Qais Alshabibi added 12 markers each.

The Scores:

Strong Group Athletics  82 – Roberson 15, Howard, 14, Quiambao 13, Moore 11, Heading 8, Ynot 5, Baltazar 4, Sanchez 4, Liwag 4, Cagulangan 2, Escandor 2, Blatche 0.

UAE 66 – Abdullateef 19, Dickerson 13, Alameeri 12, Alshabibi 12, Alsawan 4, Ashour 3, Mbaye 2, Hussein 1, Ayman 0, Al Nuaimi 0, Ahmad 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 46-40, 64-49, 82-66.