Strong Group roster draws attention

MANILA, Philippines — It won’t be smooth sailing for the Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championships at the Al Nasr Club, United Arab Emirates on Jan. 19-28 but coach Charles Tiu said the goal is to win it all despite the odds.

“Our opponents know we’re coming to compete,” said Tiu. “There’s a target on our back. After we announced that Dwight (Howard), Andre (Roberson), Andray (Blatche) and McKenzie (Moore) would play for us, word got around that we mean business. The grind is tough, seven games in 10 days if we go all the way to the final.”

The tournament will split 10 teams into two groups of five. At the end of the single-round elims, the top four from each group advance to the quarters then the four survivors move to the semis with the winners battling for the championship in the final. In the cast are four teams from Lebanon, two from Libya and one each from Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.

Strong will play a single tune-up against Converge on Tuesday, the day before it leaves for Dubai. An advantage is Blatche’s classification as a local since he’s naturalized. Under tournament rules, a team may play two imports together. That means Tiu has the option of playing musical chairs with any two among Howard, Roberson and Moore plus Blatche on the court. While Blatche is beyond his usual playing weight, Tiu said his skills are intact. “Dray’s shooting is still there and we can actually play him together with Dwight and Andre or McKenzie,” he said. Consultant Brian Goorjian said Howard’s in top shape and while Roberson and Moore are coming off injuries, they’re ready to play. Goorjian said Blatche’s experience will go a long way in creating an impact on and off the floor.