Photo credit: Dubai Sports TV
Strong Group Athletics - Philippines (3-0) uses strong second half to beat the Homenetmen of Lebanon (0-2), 104-95 on the third day of the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Al Nasr Club - Basketball Court in Dubai, UAE. [REPLAY VIDEO]
The Zach Lofton-led Homenetmen gave SGA a tough game, leading 24-17 after the first period and maintaining the lead through halftime with a score of 48-42. But Strong Group takes the lead in the third quarter by outscoring Homenetmen with 29-19, to end the quarter with slim 71-67 lead for SGA.
Dwight Howard led the SGA with 32 points on 12-of-13 shooting from the field, 8-of-9 from the free throw line along with 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Kevin Quiambao had another solid game of 19 points (7/12FG, 4/6 2pts, 3/6 3pts, 2/2ft), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal while naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche made 5 clutch threes in the final period and finished with 18 points (6/10 3pts), 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
André Roberson was two rebounds shy of a double-double with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist while Mckenzie Moore added 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
In a losing effort, former Meralco Bolts import Zach Lofton had a huge game of 37 points (9/17 2pts, 3/9 3pts, 10/15ft), with 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal. Gerard Hadidian had 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist.
With this win, Strong Group ties with Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya), both holding a 3-0 win-loss record and sharing the top spot in Group B, while in Group A, Al Riyadi (Lebanon) lead the group with a 3-0 record. [Full Schedule and Team Standings]
After securing three straight victories against the UAE National Team, 82-66, Al Wahda Syria 89-67, and Homenetmen 104-95, the Strong Group will have a two-day break before returning to action against Sports Club Beirut.
Strong Group will play Sports Club Beirut on early Wednesday morning, January 24 at 1:15am (PHL time). [LIVE]
The Scores:
STRONG GROUP 104 - Howard 32, Quiambao 19, Blatche 18, Roberson 13, Moore 12, Baltazar 8, Heading 2, Sanchez 0, Cagulangan 0, Escandor 0.
HOMENETMEN 95 – Lofton 32, Hadidian 21, Holman 18, Jackson 16, Khalil 2, Salem 1, Ajemian 0, Akiki 0.
Quarters: 17-24, 42-48, 71-67, 104-95. [GAME STATS] | [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [JORDAN]
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🏀 STRONG GROUP PHL Games: (PHL time)
(Jan 19) 
SGA def. UAE, 82-66
(Jan 20) SGA def. Al Wahda, 89-67
(Jan 21) SGA def. Homenetmen, 104-95
(Jan 24) SGA def. Beirut, 95-73
(Jan 25) SGA def. Al Ahli Tripoli, 91-89
(Jan 27) QF - SGA def. AS Sale, 92-80
(Jan 28) SEMIS - SGA def. Beirut, 94-72
(Jan 28) FINALS - AL RIYADI def. SGA, 77-74