Strong Group Athletics scores its second straight in Dubai tourney
STRONG Group Athletics walloped Syria’s Al Wahda, 89-67, for its second straight win in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship over the weekend at the Al Nasr Club.
The Philippine representative, on the heels of an 82-66 drubbing of host United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team, picked up from where it left off to stay unbeaten in the 12-team tourney.
At 2-0, Strong Group gained a piece of Group B leadership with Libya’s Al Ahly Tri Sports Club, which trumped Lebanese clubs Beirut, 81-75, and Homenetmen, 93-71.
Kevin Quiambao led the way for Strong Group with 24 points on a 6-of-6 clip from downtown on top of five rebounds, two assists and a block in only 24 minutes of action.
Francis Escandor also waxed hot with five treys for 18 points with Jordan Heading adding 12 as Strong Group leaned on the hot-shooting of its local unit this time around.
Andray Blatche, following a scoreless debut, bounced back with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals as Dwight Howard collared 10 rebounds and four blocks plus five points.
It was a well-scattered attack for Strong Group that also drew efforts from other imports McKenzie Moore (8) and Andre Roberson (5), who headlined their 16-point debut win against UAE.
Unlike the first match, the wards of head coach Charles Tiu found their groove early with a 34-18 gap that they stretched to as many as 27 points on their way to yet another blowout win.
Strong Group, owned by Frank and Jacob Lao, wants no let-up when it faces Homenetmen next on Monday morning for a 3-0 bid.
Al Wahda (0-1), led by Myron Jordan (19), Jomaru Hohadbrown (17) and Abdulwahab Alhamwi (10), has Beirut next in its schedule with hopes of barging into the win column. —