MANILA – Strong Group Athletics-Philippines cruised to their second straight win in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after an 89-67 rout of Syria’s Al Wehda on Saturday night at the Al-Nasr Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.
Kevin Quiambao top-scored for the Philippine representatives with 24 points, including six three-pointers, while his De La Salle University Green Archers teammate Francis Escandor added 18 markers.
Andray Blatche bounced back from a scoreless game against United Arab Emirates with 12 points, while three-point gunner Jordan Heading also ended up with 12 points for Strong Group.
Dwight Howard, Strong Group-Philippines’ main import, struggled with his points all game long as he ended up with five points to go with 10 rebounds and four blocks in the win.
Quiambao and Heading anchored Strong Group’s 15-8 start with their three-point hits before Blatche contributed back-to-back outside shots followed by an inside hit for a 23-14 lead.
Strong Group struggled with their points to start the second quarter as Al Wehda managed to cut the deficit to eight points before Howard scored on a putback and a three-pointer as they ended the first half with a 43-30 advantage.
The Philippine representatives continued their run in the third quarter with conversions from Quiambao, Heading, and Blatche followed by back-to-back shots from Escandor for a 64-48 lead.
Escandor went on with his offense in the fourth period along with consecutive hits from Quiambao as Strong Group’s lead grew to as high as 27 points at 82-55 with four minutes left.
Myron Jordan finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and five steals, Jomaru Hohadbrown added 18 markers, while Abdulwahab Alhamwi contributed 10 markers for the Syrian-based squad.
After their game against Lebanon’s Homenetmen on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines), the Charles Tiu-mentored Strong Group-Philippines will return to action against Lebanon’s Beirut Club on January 23 (January 24, 1:15 a.m. in the Philippines)./PN
BOX SCORE:
STRONG GROUP 89 – Quiambao 24, Escandor 18, Blatche 12, Heading 12, Moore 8, Howard 5, Roberson 5, Baltazar 3, Ynot 2, Cagulangan 0, Sanchez 0, Liwag 0.
AL WEHDA 67 – Jordan 19, Hohadbrown 18, Alhamwi 10, Banks 8, Arbasha 5, Jlelati 4, Kassabali 2, Otabachi 2, Alhalabi 0, Aljabi 0, Ghaith 0, Al Osh 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 43-30, 64-48, 89-67.
