STRONG Group survived a late scare from a red-hot Homenetmen side from Lebanon, 104-95, to go three games unbeaten in the Dubai International Basketball Championship on Monday morning.
Dwight Howard erupted for 32 points and seven rebounds to lift the Philippine side that trailed for the most part in the first half to a hard-earned victory over former Meralco import Zach Lofton's Lebanese club.
READ: Quiambao, Escandor rain treys on Al Wahda as Strong Group stays unbeaten
Homenetmen's hot hands were eventually doused by the joint efforts of Strong Group's equally lethal scorers in Kevin Quiambao (19 points), Andray Blatche (18 points), Andre Roberson (13 points), and McKenzie Moore (12 points).
It all seemed business as usual from the opening tip for Strong Group. However, the Lebanese club had other plans and sailed to an early lead as high as nine points.
Dealt with a proper challenge for the first time in three games, Howard took over and fired on all fronts alongside Blatche’s six hits from beyond the arc — a solid one-two punch that ultimately kept Lofton & Co. at bay.
A late barrage of treys in the last three minutes from Eli Holman (18 points, 9-of-9 from the field) and Dewayne Jackson (16 points) put Strong Group on its toes before Kevin Quiambao’s clutch five-point run saved the day.
Brilliant as he was all-game long, Lofton's 37 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists couldn't spare his side a second loss in as many matches to open the group phase.
Strong Group will shoot for a fourth successive victory against another Lebanese club and one of its 2023 tormentors in Beirut Sports Club on Wednesday (1:15 a.m. Manila time).
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.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 42-48, 71-67, 104-95.
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