Strong Group pulls away late to beat UAE in DIBC opener

SGA opened its DIBC campaign with a grind-out win against UAE with DeMarcus Cousins leading the charge. Nicole Hernandez/SGA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Strong Group Athletics banked on a fourth-quarter rally to take down the United Arab Emirates, 99-91, in their first game in the Dubai International Basketball Championship early Saturday (Philippine Time) at the Al-Nasr Club in Dubai.

Engaging in a tight battle that even saw UAE taking the lead at some moments, SGA came alive midway through the fourth quarter, going on a 22-5 run to open a 93-78 cushion with 3:54 left to play.

UAE still tried to steal the win after going on an 11-2 run that cut the lead down to six, 95-89, with 1:42 left, but back-to-back inside shots from Rhenz Abando and Chris McCullough sealed the deal for SGA.

McCullough, a last-minute recruit, led SGA with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, six rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.

DeMarcus Cousins added 24 points on 9-of-14 shots, four rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal, while Malachi Richardson made 21 points on 6-of-11 field goals, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Demarco Dickerson led UAE with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Qais Al-Shabebi added 23 points on 10-for-14 from the field, seven rebounds, and one steal.

The other Group A game for opening day festivities had Beirut First tripping Al-Nasr, 99-81.

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