MANILA – Strong Group Athletics-Pilipinas stayed undefeated in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship after an 84-75 victory over Amman United Club of Jordan on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at Al-Nasr Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.
Malachi Richardson stepped up offensively with 24 points, including six three-point conversions, to go with one rebound and one assist as the SGA-Pilipinas concluded their Group A campaign with a perfect 4-0 record.
Chris McCullough added 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, while Rhenz Abando contributed 12 markers, two rebounds, one assist, and a steal for SGA-Pilipinas.
The SGA-Pilipinas surged to an 11-2 start en route to a 23-15 edge after the opening quarter. Amman cut the deficit to 30-33 but back-to-back triples by Richardson, a split free throw by Abando and another basket from McCullough gave SGA-Pilipinas a 42-34 halftime lead.
Amman kept the match close in the third quarter before SGA-Pilipinas created separation behind connections by Richardson and Angelo Kouame for the largest lead of 70-53 courtesy of a dunk from Abando.
Still Amman made their last push to trim the deficit to 71-77 late in the fourth quarter, but a three-pointer by Richardson and free throws from Mikey Williams and Jason Brickman sealed the win for SGA-Pilipinas.
Fadi Mustafa top-scored for Amman with 20 points, former PBA import Henry Sims added 15 markers, while Kevin Allen and Ahmad Alhamarsheh finished with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The SGA-Pilipinas will head to the knockout quarterfinals round against home team Al Sharjah SC on Thursday night (1 a.m. Friday, Philippine time).
Meanwhile, Zamboanga Valientes concluded their campaign winless in four matches following a lopsided 95-59 defeat to Tunisia national men’s basketball team.
Sam Deguara carried the fight for the Valientes with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, Nicael Cabanero added 14 markers, while Prince Caperal contributed 13 points in the defeat./PN
BOX SCORE:
SGA-PILIPINAS 84 — Richardson 24, McCullough 19, Abando 12, Williams 7, Kouame 6, Brickman 6, Ildefonso 5, Blatche 3, Cousins 2, Liwag 0, Ynot 0, Sanchez 0.
AMMAN 75 — Mustafa 20, Sims 15, Allen 14, Alhamarsheh 10, Hawwas 6, Qarmash 4, Al Shiyyab 4, Albabeish 2.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 42-34, 66-53, 84-75.
