Head coach Charles Tiu is assembling a team that is not explosive but cohesive as well when Strong Group Athletics bid in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championships from 19 to 28 January at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tiu feels familiarity will play a crucial role in the squad’s quest that is why he is tapping De La Salle University champion coach Topex Riobinson and collegiate standouts Kevin Quiambao, the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player and fellow Francis Escandor and the College of Saint Benilde trio of Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez.
“DLSU just won the college championship, so it made sense for us to bring in some of their players and merge them with ours at Benilde,” said Tiu, also the concurrent Blazers head coach.
“After all, we are One La Salle,” Tiu said.
This will be Quiambao’s second time playing in Dubai as he was also a part of the Strong Group team that reached the quarterfinals a year ago.
“I am very happy to be a part of the team whose roster is super loaded and talented,” Quiambao said.
Robinson, on the other hand, will join Tiu’s staff, which also has Olympic mentor Brian Goorjian serving as team consultant.
“I’ve talked with Coach Topex about working together in the past, even before he got the DLSU job. We are good friends, and I am sure he will add a lot of value to us. He is a champion coach,” remarked Tiu about Robinson.
Escandor, meanwhile, will play a key role for SGA, according to Tiu.
“Escandor is a good shooter, and we need a guy like him who can spot up and knock down shots since most of the teams will be focused on defending imports,” Tiu said about the Davao native.
The American quartet of Dwight Howard, Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson, and McKenzie Moore are beefing up the Philippine entry to the much-awaited cagefest.
