MANILA – Strong Group Athletics-Philippines renewed their mastery of Beirut Sports Club of Lebanon with a 94-72 victory in the semifinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Al-Nasr Sports Club.
Dwight Howard posted a huge double-double of 26 points and 20 rebounds to lead the way for Strong Group, which will face Al-Riyadi in the finals slated on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines).
Kevin Quiambao had another good offensive game with 18 markers, three rebounds, and a steal, while Justine Baltazar and Jordan Heading ended with 15 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Philippine representatives.
Both teams were engaged in a tight battle in the opening period with Strong Group clinging to a slim 22-17 courtesy of early hits from Howard and Quiambao.
Strong Group, however, started to create separation from Beirut in the second frame as they unloaded a 28-17 scoring quarter to establish a 50-34 lead heading into the halftime break.
Howard and Strong Group continued to pull away in the second half as they increased the lead further to its largest at 26 points, 75-49, early in the fourth quarter.
Beirut Sports Club still tried to mount a comeback and cut the lead down to 16 at 86-70, but three-point plays from Baltazar and Justine Sanchez upped the lead anew for Strong Group.
Dar Tucker put up 22 points, seven rebounds, and one assist to lead Beirut Sports Club, while Alexander Saleh added a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Lebanon’s Al-Riyadi Beirut has earlier secured the first final spot following an 83-73 beating of Al-Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinals game.
Manny Harris, who previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA, fired 22 points with eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal to lead Al-Riyadi, while Wael Arakji added 16 points, two rebounds, and six assists./PN
