Despite failing to win the title, Dwight Howard remains proud of the performance of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
In a social media post, the former National Basketball Association star expressed gratitude to the Filipino fans who supported them in the prestigious event in the United Arab Emirates.
The amiable 6-foot-10 giant pumped in a double-double performance of 18 points and 12 rebounds in Strong Group’s 74-77 loss to reigning champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the gold medal match early Monday at the Al Nasr Club.
It was such a sorry finish for the Filipino club as they won seven straight games before running into the Lebanese powerhouse bannered by veteran gunner Wael Arakji.
Howard, however, stressed that it was still a mission accomplished for them as they played their hearts out and gave Al Riyadi a good fight.
“Stand strong my Pinoy people. We gave it our all and left it all on the court. Blood! Sweat! Tears! Injuries! We fought to the end,” said Howard, a one-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Thank you for letting me represent your country.”
Al Riyadi, a powerhouse in the West Asian region, clinched the title after Ismail Ahmed Abdelmoneim knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to break a 74-74 deadlock in the dying moments of the fourth quarter.
It was a heartbreaking setback for the Filipinos, who also got the boot from the same Lebanese club last year with another former Laker in Nick Young and former Philippine Basketball Association imports Shabazz Muhammad and Renaldo Balkman as reinforcements.
But everything was not lost for the Filipinos.
Kevin Quiambao drew the attention of coaches and scouts from the Middle East as he was given offers to suit up for a club team and a national squad.
