Strong Group clobbers home team

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics rolled past the United Arab Emirates national team, 82-66, to open its campaign in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship on a high note yesterday at the Al Nasr Club.

Former OKC Thunder Andre Roberson stamped his class with a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds laced by three assists and three blocks as the Philippine bets scored a 16-point romp of the host team.

Dwight Howard posted 14 points, six rebounds and two steals while UAAP MVP Kevin Quaimbao led the attack of the local crew with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

McKenzie Moore and Jordan Heading added 11 and eight points, respectively, with 11 out of 12 players also barging into the scoring board for the wards of head coach Charles Tiu.

Strong Group, out for revenge following a quarterfinal exit in the last edition, banked on a third-quarter breakaway to erect a 15-point lead heading into the payoff period.

The ball club owned by Frank and Jacob Lao led by as many as 21 points, 70-49, en route to a flying start in Group B.

Strong Group was to shoot for its second straight win against Syria’s Al Wahda last night.