By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Kevin Quiambao delivered another stellar performance as Strong Group Athletics-Philippines scored a 95-73 beating of the Beirut Club in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al-Nasr Sports Club yesterday (Philippine time).
The De La Salle University Green Archers center tallied 20 points, with 17 coming in the first two quarters, to go with four rebounds and a steal as the Strong Group improved to a 4-0 record.
McKenzie Moore added 19 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Jordan Heading tallied 15 points, while JD Cagulangan and Dwight Howard contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for Strong Group.
Returning from a full day of rest, Strong Group displayed different energy and aggression in the opening quarter behind Quiambao and Cagulangan as they established a 32-20 lead.
Strong Group continued their hot shooting in the second quarter, still behind the tandem of Quiambao and Cagulangan as their advantage went up to 58-40 at the half.
In the third quarter, it was the inside presence of Howard and Moore who spearheaded the offense for the Philippine representatives as they were able to maintain the double-digit lead at 75-56.
Strong Group suffered a huge blow early in the final quarter, as Cagulangan suffered an ankle injury during a loose ball scramble and was not able to return to the game.
The Beirut Club took advantage and tried to mount a comeback in the final quarter, but could not cut the deficit to as low as 13 points before Strong Group pulled away anew to an 18-point advantage.
Sergio El-Darwich finished with 28 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Mohamad Ali Haidar and Dar Tucker added 15 and 14, respectively, for Beirut Club, which fell to 1-2.
Strong Group-Philippines will face Al-Ahli Tripoli for their right to enter the quarterfinals as the top seed for Group B on Thursday, January 25 (Philippine time)./ASC, WDJ
STRONG GROUP 95 — Quiambao 20, Moore 19, Heading 15, Cagulangan 12, Howard 11, Escandor 6, Liwag 3, Baltazar 2, Sanchez 2, Roberson 2, Ynot 0.
BEIRUT CLUB 73 — El-Darwich 28, Haidar 15, Tucker 14, Saleh 8, Rabay 3, Ghudwin 3, Mahmoud 2, Martinez 0, Mechref 0, Jarrouj 0.
Quarterscores: 32-20, 58-40, 75-56, 95-73.