Strong Group flexes might on UAE to kick off Dubai tilt campaign

The Strong Group Athletics used a strong second half surge to pull away for good against UAE national team, 82-66, to kick off its campaign in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship on late Friday night at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai.

Four players reached double digit scoring but it was Andre Roberson who led on both ends, pouring in a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds on top of three assists and three blocks to show the way. 

Dwight Howard played for just 19 minutes but churned out some qualify numbers as the former NBA star dropped 14 markers, six boards, and two steals, while Kevin Quiambao and Mckenzie Moore chipped in 13 and 11 points apiece. 

The Philippine representative turned a 46-40 halftime lead to a 72-51 cushion when incoming Benilde big man Allen Liwag knocked down a jumper to give his side a 21-point cushion early in the fourth quarter. 

The home team, though, tried to mount a comeback after a 10-0 run that allowed them to cut the deficit to just 11, 72-61. But Roberson and young gun Tony Ynot put on the finishing kicks to give the Charles Tiu-helmed team the win.

Hamid Abdullateef paced UAE with a team-high 19 points, two rebounds, two blocks, and one assist off the bench while Demarco Dickerson chimed in with 13 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and two steals. 

Strong Group will next take one Al Wahda on Saturday night at 9:15 p.m. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News