MANILA – Strong Group-Philippines kept its untainted record in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship after an 87-61 win over Al Wahda-Syria on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai, UAE.
Shabazz Muhammad erupted for 37 points to go with 11 rebounds, two steals and one assist in 24 minutes of action as the Philippines representatives improved its record to 3-0.
Sedrick Barefield and Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 10 markers apiece, while Renaldo Balkman contributed nine markers for Strong Group, which rested former NBA player Nick Young in the match.
Strong Group had a solid opening quarter as they cruised to a 24-9 advantage, capped by a hook shot by Kevin Quiambao, before Syria showed some life to cut the deficit to 13-24 via a triple by Miles Bowman Jr.
The Philippine squad, however, relied on the inside presence of former PBA import Muhammad in the second quarter and five straight points from Quiambao to create some separation from Syria, 44-29, at the half.
The Charles Tiu-mentored Strong Group continued to pound on the much smaller Syria in the third quarter with Muhammad and Balkman converting consecutive inside shots as the lead reached its largest at 66-37.
Syria had consecutive points to start the fourth quarter but the local crew of Strong Group led by Lastimosa and Barefield answered back to settle to a 26-point victory.
Kendall Gray led the way for Al Wahda in the losing effort with 11 points and six rebounds, while Kemal Canbolat and Mahd Arbasha chipped in eight markers apiece.
Strong Group-Philippines plays their final game before the knockout stages against fellow undefeated team Dynamo of Lebanon on Wednesday night (Philippine time).
Prior to the victory over Syria, Strong Group-Philippines registered a close 91-87 win over United Arab Emirates on Friday and 93-76 rout over Libya’s Al Nasr on Saturday.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 87 – Muhammad 37, Barefield 10, Lastimosa 10, Balkman 9, Quiambao 7, Gozum 4, Cagulangan 3, Andrade 3, Lopez 3, Lao 1, Baltazar 0.
SYRIA 61 – Gray 11, Canbolat 8, Arbasha 8, Bowman 7, James 6, Alhalabi 6, Idelbi 4, Al Osh 4, Otabachi 2, Al Idelbi 2, Almnaa 2, Hamad 1.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 44-29, 68-43, 87-61./PN
