A BLEND of local and international stars, Strong Group Athletics is eyeing redemption in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship with big names like former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins bannering the squad.
SGA, one of the two Philippine representatives, is out to do better than its runner-up finish last year in the tourney from January 24 to February 2 in Al Nasr Club.
“I’m excited because I really feel this year we have a better chance. I think we really have good locals. I think that’s gonna be a big difference for us. Obviously, we can control what we have, which is our preparation,” coach Charles Tiu said after the team’s practice yesterday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
Also representing SGA are Gilas naturalized cagersAndrayBlatche and Ange Kouame, Mikey Williams, RhenzAbando, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman and NCAA stars Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez.
The Frank Lao-backed SGA will also have American imports in Malachi Richardson and Terry Larrier.
Last year, SGA, led by two-time NBA champion Dwight Howard as its main guy, fell short to Al-Riyadi in the championships.
Tiu said the team won’t have a tune-up match but is confident they have what it takes.
“Unfortunately, this time, we won’t have a single tune-up game before the tournament starts so we have to figure everything out,” the youthful mentor, also the head tactician for the Benilde Blazers, said.
“DeMarcus has been with us for four days so that’s also a challenge, adjusting to him, but we’ll figure it out. I think we have smart players, a good group of guys and we should be ready for the tournament.”
The SGA squad will leave for Dubai on Thursday.
The Zamboanga Valientes will be the other Filipino team in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.