By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
PHL-based basketball club Strong Group Athletics completed a sweep in the group stage of the ongoing 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on January 30, 2025, at the Al Nasr Club.
The squad composed of collegiate Filipino hoopers and former NBA stars repelled the tough challenge from the Amman United squad of Jordan, 84-75, to extend their unbeaten campaign to 4-0.
In just the first five minutes of the opening quarter, Strong Group immediately imposed their will after zooming to a double-digit lead courtesy of the hot hands of reinforcement Malachi Richardson.
The former 22nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Rookie draft quickly pressed the microwave button after hosting a three-point party that set the tone for Strong Group.
After Richardson got hot, the other members of Strong Group were also injected with the energy he brought and picked up where he left off after subbing out of the game at the end of the first.
Amman United deployed a mixed zone counter defense in an attempt to slow down Strong Group’s efficient three-point shooting but head coach Charles Tiu utilized his deep rotation and leaned on ex-SMB import Chris McCullough to operate inside the shaded lane.
McCullough didn’t disappoint and paid off the trust of the coaching staff, hitting several isolation perimeter jumpers in the post while taking advantage of his length advantage for easy jump hooks.
Young Filipino star Rhenz Abando also chipped in during the win and provided the energy boost that Strong Group needed when Amman United threatened to come back in the second half.
Richardson led Strong Group with a game-high 24-point performance and capped off the win with his best-shooting outing of the ongoing tournament.
Meanwhile, McCullough delivered 19 markers and eight rebounds while Abando added 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
