Former National Basketball Association big man Dwight Howard touched down in the country last night as Strong Group gears up for the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates.
Howard, an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, was in the company of former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche.
The two other American reinforcements — Andre Roberson and Mckenzie Moore — arrived Saturday and immediately worked out.
Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu told DAILY TRIBUNE that while Howard is excited to get a glimpse of the Filipino culture and meet the fans, his top priority will be training with the team as they only have a few days to prepare for the Dubai tilt.
The 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship will begin on 19 January with Strong Group leaving two days before.
“Dwight has been wanting to do a lot of things with the fans so let’s see what we can come up with for the fans but our priority is to train and prepare,” Tiu said.
“We want to build chemistry get them to play some good defense and play together,” he added.
Apart from the NBA veterans, Strong Group will be led by University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao and Francis Escandor of De La Salle University and joined by College of St. Benilde’s Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez.
Joining Tiu on the sidelines are Australia national team coach Brian Goorjian and Green Archers tactician Topex Robinson.
