SGA downs Beirut, stays unscathed

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FORMER NBA star DeMarcus Cousins powered Strong Group Athletics to its third consecutive victory in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championships, an 85-78 win over Beirut First early yesterday at the Al Nasr Club.

Cousins had an all-around performance of 26 points on 8 of 16 shooting that included four triples, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block as Strong Group improved to 3-0 in Group A play.

Gilas Pilipinas naturalized big man Ange Kouame also shone for the Philippines with 14 markers, eight boards and a dime while Dave Ildefonso had 12 rebounds and eight points against the erstwhile unbeaten Lebanese team.

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After a close first-quarter battle, Strong Group went on a big surge in the second and led by 19 points 44-25 on a basket from Ildefonso at the 2:44 mark and closed out the first half with a comfortable 49-34 separation.

Strong Group padded its lead to 75-54 after Mikey Williams scored a three-pointer early in the fourth frame.

With a little over three minutes remaining, Beirut First staged a mini rally and trimmed the lead to 78-71 but Strong Group remained composed en route to victory.

Sergio El Darwich took charge for Beirut First with 26 points, Mohamad Ali Haidar finished with 18 markers while Ali Mezher tallied a double-double performance of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Former NBA veteran and ex-PBA import Ricky Ledo struggled offensively with only seven points but made his presence felt with nine boards for the Lebanese crew.

The Charles Tiu-mentored SGA tries to sweep the group phase on Thursday at 1 a.m. (Manila time) when they meet the Jordanian club Amman United.

Samuel Deguera and the Zamboanga Valientes hope to get into the win column today, Wednesday, against the Sagesse SportsClub at 1 a.m. (Manila time).

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