Strong Group proved its worth, but destiny sided with Al Riyadi.
Ismail Abdelmoneim drained the championship-winning, buzzer-beating trey, preventing Strong Group from becoming the second-ever non-Middle Eastern team to win the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Al Riyadi claimed the crown with a 77-74 victory on Monday morning (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club.
With the game tied at 74-all, a frenetic sequence unfolded. Jordan Heading found Andre Roberson at the top of the key, but the latter missed the potential go-ahead triple.
On the other end, Wael Arakji ran the length of the floor, touched the paint, and threw a bullet pass to Abdelmoneim at the right elbow.
The 47-year-old forward calmly drained a triple as time expired, securing Al Riyadi’s second straight title.
Roberson led SGA with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Dwight Howard also recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Heading contributed 17 points as well.
Despite the loss, it was a superb outing for SGA, rallying from 19 down and overcoming the injury of McKenzie Moore.
SGA took a 66-64 lead midway through the final frame before an exchange of baskets closed out the game.
Kevin Quiambao, named one of the all-tournament team members, went scoreless in 37 minutes of action. He had been averaging 18.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists before this game.
Manny Harris produced 23 points and seven rebounds for Al Riyadi, while tournament MVP Arakji tallied 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
The Scores
Al Riyadi 77 – Harris 23, Arakji 16, Abdelmoneim 10, Kikanovic 7, Zeinoun 6, Gyokchyan 5, Sakakini 5, Saoud 3, Tabbara 0.
Strong Group 74 – Roberson 24, Howard 18, Heading 17, Moore 12, Blatche 3, Quiambao 0, Baltazar 0, Cagulangan 0, Escandor 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12, 46-32, 61-57, 77-74.
