Dwight Howard proved that he’s good as advertised as he carried Strong Group Athletics to a 104-95 win over Homenetmen of Lebanon in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai early Monday (Manila time).
Howard, the former National Basketball Association star, finally displayed the prowess that was never seen in their first two games in the prestigious invitational event.
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year was unstoppable, pumping in 32 points on 12-of-13 shooting from the field on top of seven rebounds and five blocks to lead the Filipino club to its third straight win to gain a share of the top spot in Group B with Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya.
“We won the game. That’s all that matters. It was a tough game, but we got a good win,” Howard, who had only 19 points in their first two games against the United Arab Emirates national team and Al Wahda-Syria, said.
University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao remained consistent as he chipped in 19 points, four rebounds and four assists while helping Strong Group overcome the stand made by the Lebanese in the final 1:20 of the game.
DeWayne Jackson cut Strong Group’s lead to five points, 94-99, before Former TNT Tropang Giga import McKenzie Moore completed a three-point play with 50 seconds left for a 102-94 lead.
Jackson had another chance to cut the lead after Moore fouled him and sent him to the free throw line with 45 seconds left but was only able to convert one of his three freebies, allowing Strong Group to run away with the lead.
Former Gilas Pilipinas player Andray Blatche sustained his hot form with 18 points while NBA veteran Andre Roberson added 13 points for the club mentored by Charles Tiu and owned by businessman Frank Lao.
Former Meralco Bolts import Zach Lofton led all scorers with 37 points on top of eight rebounds and seven assists for Homenetmen, which dropped to a 0-2 slate together with Al Wahda-Syria and the UAE national team.
