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 remains to be 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 primary two quarters ending 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 12 months, made highlight dunks including an enormous two-handed slam that led to a stoppage late within the opening period because the officials had to envision 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 Priceless Player Kevin Quiambao also shone with 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists, joining hands with Roberson to tug away within the third quarter with a 60-42 spread.
Allen Liwag tallied the largest lead of 21 points with a turnaround jumper for a 70-49 lead before UAE cut it right down to 11, 77-66, after Omar Alameeri’s three-point play within the last two minutes. But Jordan Heading sealed the win with a layup on the 1:30 mark, 79-66.
Heading finished with eight points and five rebounds, while Justine Baltazar tallied 4 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) because it tries to surpass its quarterfinals exit last 12 months.
Hamid Abdullateef led UAE with 19 points and a pair of blocks. Demarco Dickerson had 13 points and 7 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.
