Victory remained elusive for Zamboanga as the Valientes suffered a 107-84 loss to Al Ahly SC Tripoli in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship Sunday, Jan. 26. 

The Valientes got off to a hot start but failed to keep the momentum going after squandering a 17-point lead in the second quarter after Tripoli answered with a 24-3 run to take a 43-39 advantage which it preserved until the final horn.

Zamboanga absorbed its second loss in as many games in the Group B standings.

Sam Deguara and Adonis Thomas produced 25 and 24 points, respectively, while Nic Cabanero backed them up with 14 for the Valientes.

Mohamed Sadi (25), Wuad Alok (24), Naseim Badrush (19), and Deng Yak (17) led the way for the Libya-based ball club as Al Ahli improved to 2-0.

Up next for Zamboanga is Sagesse SC this Tuesday, Jan. 28. Meanwhile, SGA faces Beirut First late Monday, Jan. 27.