Strong Group cruises past Al Wahda for second win
De La Salle teammates Kevin Quiambao and Francis Escandor collaborated effectively as Strong Group secured a commanding 89-67 victory against Al Wahda Syria in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Nasr Club on Saturday, January 20.
With the support of the enthusiastic Filipino crowd, Quiambao and Escandor displayed remarkable shooting ability, making a combined total of 11 three-pointers.
Quiambao contributed a team-high 24 points, along with five rebounds and two assists, while Escandor added 18 points.
Additionally, naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche redeemed himself after a disappointing performance in the previous game, scoring 12 points, including two consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter, after missing all 10 of his field goal attempts.
Jordan Heading registered 12 points, while former NBA star Howard contributed five points and 10 boards.
The Philippine squad improved to 2-0, and will next clash with Lebanon’s Homenetmen on Sunday, January 21 at 11:15 pm.
Blatche’s personal 8-2 run in the first quarter helped Strong Group establish a 23-12 lead, although the Syrian team closed the gap to five points, 23-18, in the second quarter.
However, Howard made a crucial block and hit a last-second three-pointer to make it a more comfortable 43-30 advantage going into halftime.
Quiambao’s sixth and final three-pointer extended Strong Group’s lead to its largest margin of 82-55 with 4:17 left in the game.
Al Wahda struggled to respond and were outplayed for the rest of the match.
Myron Jordan paced the losing team with 19 points, while Jomaru Hohadbrown added 17 points off the bench.
The scores:
Strong Group 89 – Quiambao 24, Escandor 18, Heading 12, Blatche 12, Moore 8, Howard 5, Roberson 5, Baltazar 3, Ynot 2, Cagulangan 0, Sanchez 0, Liwag 0.
Al Wahda 67 – Jordan 19, Hohadbrown 17, Alhamwi 10, Dejohn Banks 8, Arbasha 5, Jlelati 4, Otabachi 2, Kassabali 2, Aljabi 0, Ghaith 0, Al Osh 0, Canbolat 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 43-30, 64-48, 89-67.
