By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Strong Group Athletics-Philippines banked on Dwight Howard’s dominant inside presence to defeat Homenetmen of Lebanon, 104-95, in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al-Nasr Sports Club yesterday (Philippine time).
The former Los Angeles Lakers center made 12 of his 13 field goal attempts to finish with 32 points, to go with seven rebounds and five blocks to lead the way for Strong Group.
Howard, who was known to be a poor free-throw shooter during his NBA career, was also efficient from the charity stripe as he made seven of his eight attempts.
Kevin Quiambao added 19 markers, former Gilas Pilipinas center Andray Blatche finished with 18, while Andre Roberson and McKenzie Moore tallied 13 and 12, respectively, as the Philippine representatives improved to a 3-0 slate.
Strong Group jumped to an early 7-2 lead behind five early points from Quiambao, but Homenetmen countered with their own run behind Zachary Lofton to take a 24-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Philippine squad kept the match close in the second quarter as they cut the deficit to 42-43, but Homenetmen countered with a basket from Lofton and a triple from Dewayne Jackson to widen their lead to 48-42 at the half.
Howard started to dominate for Strong Group in the third quarter as his inside scoring allowed them to outscore Homenetmen, 29-19, and take a 71-67 lead heading into the fourth frame.
Homenetmen started the fourth period with a 6-0 run to take the lead again, 73-71, but following an exchange of baskets, Blatche came alive with four triples as Strong Group took a 92-83 lead.
Lofton, who recently played for the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Gerard Hadidan and Elijah Holman had 21 and 18, respectively, for Homenetmen (0-2).
After taking a one-day break, the Charles Tiu-mentored Strong Group will return to action against Lebanon’s Beirut Club on early Wednesday morning, January 24 (Philippine time)./ASC, WDJ
STRONG GROUP 104 — Howard 32, Quiambao 19, Blatche 18, Roberson 13, Moore 12, Baltazar 8, Heading 2, Sanchez 0, Cagulangan 0, Escandor 0.
HOMENETMEN 95 — Lofton 37, Hadidan 21, Holman 18, Khalil 2, Salem 1, Akiki 0, Ajemian 0, Chivichyan 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 42-48, 71-67, 104-95.