Strong Group puts loaded lineup to test vs UAE

MANILA, Philippines – Strong Group Athletics plunges into a baptism of fire when it opens its campaign against host United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship Friday at the Al Nasr Club.

Game time is at 11:15 p.m. (Manila time), with the Philippine representatives under the tutelage of Charles Tiu eyeing a flying start in its redemption tour after a quarterfinal exit last edition.

After the UAE, standing in the way for Strong Group are Lebanon’s Beirut Sports Club and Homenetmen, Syria’s Al Wahda and Al Ahly Tri Sports Club of Libya in Group B.

Reigning champion Al Riyadi, bannered by Lebanon national team ace guard and FIBA Asia CUP MVP Wael Arakji, spearheads Group A with Tunisia national team, Morocco’s As Sale, Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi, the UAE’s Al Nasr and another Lebanese club Sagesse.

As tough as the opposition is, Strong Group has only one goal in the Middle East when it debuts with little to no break after landing in Dubai Thursday.

“It’s gonna be a stacked competition. Modesty aside, we definitely want to win the championship,” said Tiu, joined by consultant Brian Goorjian with Topex Robinson and TY Tang as assistants.

Dwight Howard, the NBA champion and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has been tasked to lead the squad in his first foray with a Philippine team after an illustrious career in the United States.

Joining him at the frontline are Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche, former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson and seasoned import McKenzie Moore.

Owned by Frank and Jacob Lao, Strong Group will also have a formidable local crew to bank on led by UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar and Gilas sniper Jordan Heading.

Completing the squad are La Salle’s Francis Escandor, University of the Philippines’ JD Cagulangan, and St. Benilde’s Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot.

Strong Group, which bowed to eventual titlist Al Riyadi in the quarterfinals last year, 106-97, is aiming to replicate the feat of Mighty Sports Philippines as the first-non Middle Eastern team to win it all in Dubai in 2020.