Strong Group is off to a strong start with a rout of the UAE national team, 82-66, in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai, UAE. 

As expected, former NBA player Andre Roberson, who showed the way for the Philippine-based squad, carried out the fight with a double-double performance of 15 points that went with 16 rebounds, while Dwight Howard, who sat out the closing period, finished with 14 markers and six rebounds. 

Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao kept up with his pro counterparts after finishing with a 13-point outing including three rebounds.

McKenzie Moore and Jordan Heading, for their parts, had 11 and eight points, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Filipino naturalized big man Andray Blatche went blank from the field as the rest of the squad took over in the offensive production. 

With the win, Strong Group moved atop the Group B standings, while defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon, which defeated the Philippine squad in last year’s quarterfinal round, also emerged on top of Group A. 

The Charles Tiu-coached team greeted the break with a 46-40 advantage before Roberson and Quiambao took turns for the attack in the third quarter before they eventually pulled away for good en route to the blowout win. 

Strong Group went on a 10-point spree to open the second half capped by Quiambao’s back-to-back shots from beyond the arc. 

By the time UAE briefly came to its senses, the Philippine squad was already on a furious run that saw the lead grew to as much as 21, 72-51, on Allen Liwag’s two consecutive drives to the basket, with 6:45 left in the game. 

From then on, Strong Group seized control of the match for its first win. 

Hamid Abdullateef paced UAE with 19 points, two rebounds and an assist on the losing end. 

Strong Group is set to play its second straight game on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 9:15 p.m. (Manila time) against Al Wahda at the same venue.