By MARK MONTEJO
Strong Group Athletics displayed its might anew and toppled Morocco’s AS Sale in the quarterfinals, 92-80, to advance to the semifinal round of the 2024 Dubai International Tournament on Saturday morning, Jan. 27, at the Al Nasr Club.
Former NBA star Dwight Howard led a balanced attack from the Filipino squad as it leaned on a fiery 19-2 blitz in the second frame to seize a 40-28 advantage which took the fight out of the Moroccan side.
Andre Roberson topped the scoring department with 18 points while Howard and McKenzie Moore posted 17 apiece. UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao also joined in the double-digit scoring by listing 15.
Before bowing out, AS Sale managed to put some counters, cutting the deficit to just seven, 71-78, midway of the fourth salvo.
The Moroccan’s resurgence, however, was swiftly halted by Roberson, who notched six straight point to highlight SGA’s 9-0 run to reestablish a commanding 84-71 lead in the waning minutes.
Import Ramon Galloway chalked up 27 points for AS Sale while Tyler Williams backstopped him with 20 points in a losing cause.
SGA is set to face Lebanon’s Beirut Sports Club – a team demolished by Charles Tiu-guided squad with a 22-point lead in the elimination round – in the semifinals on Sunday, Jan. 28.
