Strong Group-PH vows to keep on fighting in Dubai tilt despite limited preps

FILE–Strong Group Coach Charles Tiu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – With Kevin Quiambao a last-minute replacement for Ange Kouame, Strong Group Realty vowed to give its best to represent the country despite limited preparations in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship campaign starting Friday.

Strong Group coach Charles Tiu confirmed on Wednesday that Quiambao, the top UAAP Season 85 rookie from La Salle will replace Kouame, who was unable to participate in the tournament due to dengue.

The team considered Justine Brownlee and Andray Blatche but both were unavailable.

Tiu admitted that the squad had limited numbers for the tournament, barely able to participate in training. But he promised that the Strong Group will try their best to win the game.

“Actually we are a college team with imports. We will try to win but this is difficult. Only today we finished first. Guys are sick or injured,” said Tiu in a message.

Some team members flew to Dubai on Wednesday, followed by the rest of the delegation on Thursday.

The Strong Group, owned by former Ateneo Blue Eagle Jacob Lao, opens its Dubai tilt against the United Arab Emirates national team on Saturday at 11 pm (Manila time).

Former NBA players Nick Young, Renaldo Balkman, and Shabazz Muhammad lead the college-laden squad, which also includes Korean Basketball League-bound Justine Baltazar.

Rounding out the squad are Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa, NCAA MVP Will Gozum and College of St. Migs Oczon. Benilde, new University of the Philippines recruit Francis LeBron Lopez and his teammate JD Cagulangan, Blue Eagles BJ Andrade and Inand Fornillos, and Sedrick Barefield.

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