Strong Group Reinforced by NBA Star Dwight Howard
Veteran NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard joined the Philippine-based Strong Group Athletics basketball team in preparation for the highly anticipated 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship held this coming January 19 to 28, 2024, in the United Arab Emirates.
Dwight Howard arrived in the Philippines and expressed his excitement on a social media post after landing in Manila alongside veteran reinforcement and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center Andray Blatche, who was seen waving in the background. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and No. 1 overall pick posted a video on Instagram during the 2004 NBA draft.
Andray Blatche and Dwight Howard are set to join his fellow basketball star and former NBA player Andre Roberson, American guard McKenzie Moore, and local Filipino counterparts. Some of the most notable Filipino players joining the Strong Group include UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, UAAP champion JD Cagulangan, Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez.
The “Superman” who landed in Manila despite a delayed flight from Japan is best known for his Superman cape and even won the NBA Slam Dunk contest in 2008. The 38-year-old Dwight Howard kept himself busy during the long flight from Japan by engaging Filipino basketball fans through his Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Dwight Howard, who stands at 6-foot-10, is an eight-time NBA All-Star in the Philippines to serve as one of the Strong Group’s imports for the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship. Charles Tiu and Topex Robinson will coach the team. The team will be under team manager Jacob Lao and get support from team consultant Brian Goorjian.
Strong Group Athletics
The Strong Group is owned by businessman Frank Lao, owner of Choi Garden, and his son Jacob Lao, a former Ateneo player. The Group failed to secure a title but made it to the tournament’s quarterfinals.
The Philippine team, now represented by the Strong Group, will try to replicate the feat of Mighty Sports as the first non-Middle Eastern champion team in the Dubai International Basketball tournament, which was achieved in 2020.
The Strong Group Athletics (SGA) is a Philippine-based basketball team set to compete in the Dubai International. They also sponsor men’s and women’s basketball teams at the professional level and collegiate teams in the Philippines.
During the 2023 edition of the Dubai International, Mighty Sports team owner Caesar Wonchuking gave way to Strong Group Athletics to represent the Philippines in Dubai’s prestigious and well-attended international basketball competition. Head Coach Charles Tiu was also responsible for bringing the title to the Philippines through Mighty Sports.
Strong Group features three ex-NBA players, Nick Young, Renaldo Balkman, and Shabazz Muhammad, and added collegiate standouts Jerom Lastimosa, JD Cagulangan, Migs Oczon, and LeBron Lopez during the 2023 edition of the Dubai International.
Dubai International Championship
The 2024 edition of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament will spotlight harmony in diversity, with teams from North America, Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world converging in Dubai. The Dubai International 2024 promises a constellation of star players to enthrall fans and showcase the pinnacle of basketball excellence.
International teams participating in the international basketball tournament will also feature some of the most prominent NBA players and international basketball stars worldwide.
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