SGA falls in Dubai meet bid

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STRONG Group Athletics’ chase for glory in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship ended early yesterday when it crashed out in the knockout semifinals and will no longer play in the battle for the bronze.

Strong Group’s bid to bounce back from last year’s runner-up finish ended in a controversial 63-68 defeat to Tunisia’s national team at the Al Nasr Club.

After dominating their past five games, four in the group phase and the quarterfinals, the Athletics released a statement afterward that they would not play in the third-place game and called for “equality and fairness in the officiating and for the game to be treated with proper respect.”

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The Charles Tiu-mentored team, in a statement, said the team encountered “officiating inconsistencies that significantly impacted the outcome of the contest” against Tunisia.

It also cited that throughout the showdown, “multiple non-calls were made” against Strong Group “with crucial decisions favoring Tunisia.”

The team pointed to the potential game-tying three-pointer by Rhenz Abando in the dying seconds of the match, with the high-leaping cager hit from behind by Tunisia’s Mokhtar Ghyaza with no call for a foul made.

“Fairness and accountability are fundamental in maintaining the integrity of international basketball.” Strong Group said.

“Our decision not to play in the third-place match is not just about one game—it is about advocating for officiating that upholds the spirit of sportsmanship and ensures that all teams are given a fair chance to compete.”

The Athletics also thanked their supporters and assured their fans that Strong Group remains committed to representing the Philippines with pride.

Former NBA cager DeMarcus Cousins and ex-PBA import Chris Mccullough provided a 1-2 punch for Strong Group with 18 points apiece while the former also had 15 rebounds.

Tunisia was led offensively by Radhouane Slimane with 23 markers and Omar Abada who scored 14.

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