Strong Group Athletics-Philippines (SGA) kicked off their 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship campaign with a hard-fought 99-91 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) men’s national basketball team. Despite the win, head coach Charles Tiu emphasized that there is still room for improvement as they pursue their redemption in the tournament.
Chris McCullough led the charge for SGA, marking his return with an impressive 28 points, six rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins followed closely with 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Malachi Richardson contributed 21 points and two boards. The star-studded lineup proved crucial in securing the late-game surge that sealed the win.
Coach Tiu Unimpressed Despite the Victory
Following the game, Tiu expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging that they struggled to find their rhythm early on.
“Ugly first win for us over the revamped UAE national team (with their new imports),” Tiu stated on social media. “Good to get the rust out of the way in our very first game as a team.”
SGA found themselves in a tight contest with UAE for most of the game, unable to establish dominance until the latter part of the fourth quarter. With 7:00 minutes left in regulation and SGA trailing 73-71, McCullough, Richardson, and Allen Liwag spearheaded a crucial 14-0 run that flipped the game in their favor, giving them an 85-73 lead with just over five minutes remaining.
UAE’s Late Push Falls Short
Despite SGA’s late rally, UAE refused to back down. The hosts mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 95-89 with just over two minutes left on the clock. However, clutch baskets from Rhenz Abando and Cousins ensured that SGA maintained control, pushing the lead back to 10 points and putting the game out of reach for the Emirati squad.
Demarco Dickerson led UAE with 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Qais Omar Alshabebi contributed 23 points and seven boards. Their efforts, however, fell short against the Filipinos, who showcased their experience and depth in the closing minutes.
SGA Sets Sights on Al Nasr
With the opening game behind them, SGA now turns their attention to their next challenge against Al Nasr on January 26 at 1:00 a.m. Manila time. The team aims to deliver a more refined performance as they continue their pursuit of the championship trophy.
While their debut win exposed some areas that need fine-tuning, Tiu and his squad remain confident that they will “come out much better” as the tournament progresses.
