Strong Group’s Schedule in Dubai
The Strong Group-Philippines team faces a challenging draw in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship starting this Friday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Strong Group’s schedule in the Dubai tournament was released earlier, featuring five games in the Group Stage.
Led by Dwight Howard, the team will begin their journey in Group B against the UAE national men’s basketball team tonight at 11:15 p.m. Philippine time. Their subsequent games include facing Syria’s Al Wahda on January 20 at 9:15 p.m. Philippine time and Lebanon’s Homenetmen on January 21 at 11:15 p.m. Philippine time.
Following a day off, the squad, coached by Charles Tiu, will compete against Lebanon’s Beirut Club on January 23 (or January 24 at 1:15 a.m. Philippine time). Their final group stage game is against Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli on January 24 (or January 25 at 1:15 a.m. Philippine time).
The team’s key players include former Gilas Pilipinas center Andray Blatche, seasoned import McKenzie Moore, and ex-Oklahoma City Thunder Andre Roberson. The roster is completed by local talents Kevin Quiambao, Justin Baltazar, Jordan Heading, JD Cagulangan, Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Winston Ynot, and Justine Sanchez.
Coach Tiu expressed satisfaction with the team dynamics, noting the absence of complaints and the willingness to listen, even from a star like Dwight Howard. He acknowledged the assistance of Coach Brian Goorjian and emphasized the importance of managing player workload, given the schedule of seven games in ten days.
Group A of the tournament includes defending champions Al Riyadi and Sagasse SC of Lebanon, AS Sale of Morocco, the Tunisia national team, Al-Nassr of UAE, and Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya.
The Strong Group, owned by businessman Frank and Jacob Lao, will represent the Philippines in the hotly-contested international basketball tournament against some of the best teams in the Middle East. During the previous outing of the Strong Group, they bowed to eventual titlist Al Riyadi in the quarterfinals. Still, they aim to replicate the success of Mighty Sports Philippines as the first Middle Eastern team to win it all in Dubai in 2020.
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