Strong Group advanced to the final four of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after having its way with Morocco’s AS Sale, 92-80, on Saturday morning (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club.
The Athletics will take on Beirut in a rematch next after the latter defeated Tunisia, 88-82, earlier in the day.
SGA defeated Beirut, 95-73, in the elimination phase.
The quartet of Andre Roberson, Dwight Howard, McKenzie Moore, and Kevin Quiambao showed the way for the Frank Lao-owned club team in the contest.
Roberson produced 18 points and nine rebounds, while Howard tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds. Moore got 17 points and seven rebounds.
For himself, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player tallied 15 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal.
It was a comprehensive win for the Athletics, who led by as much as 16 points in the game and held a double-digit lead for most of the final quarter.
JD Cagulangan was able to return to competition after an ankle injury scare against Beirut a couple of days ago. However, Andray Blatche suffered a sprained ankle late in the third canto.
For the North African club, Galloway Ramon and Williams Tyler were the sole bright spots.
Ramon played all 40 minutes, dropping 27 points while Tyler finished with 20 points.
The Scores:
Strong Group (92) – Roberson 18, Howard 17, Moore 17, Quiambao 15, Baltazar 8, Heading 6, Blatche 4, Ynot 3, Cagulangan 2, Liwag 2, Ynot 2, Escandor 0, Sanchez 0.
AS Sale (80) – Ramon 27, Tyler 20, Aqboub 10, Al Quraishi 6, Benchlikha 5, Buqisho 4, Kourdou 4, Al Mohseni 2, Benabou 2, Dahhan 0.
Quarterscores: 19-21, 44-36, 67-59, 92-80.
