The Strong Group Athletics-Philippines banked on Dwight Howard’s dominant inside presence to defeat the Homenetmen of Lebanon, 104-95, in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship on Sunday night (Monday in Manila) at the Al-Nasr Sports Club.
The former Los Angeles Lakers center made 12 of his 13 field goal attempts to finish with 32 points, to go with seven rebounds and five blocks to lead the way for Strong Group.
Howard, who was known to be a poor free throw shooter during his NBA career, was also efficient from the charity stripe, as he made seven of his eight attempts.
Kevin Quiambao added 19 markers, former Gilas Pilipinas center Andray Blatche finished with 18, and Andre Roberson and McKenzie Moore tallied 13 and 12, respectively, as the Philippine representatives improved to a 3-0 slate.
Strong Group jumped to an early 7-2 lead behind five early points from Quiambao, but Homenetmen countered with their own run behind Zachary Lofton to take a 24-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Philippine squad kept the match close in the second quarter as they cut the deficit to 42-43, but the Homenetmen countered with a basket from Lofton and a triple from Dewayne Jackson to widen their lead to 48-42 at halftime.
Howard started to dominate for Strong Group in the third quarter as his inside scoring allowed them to outscore Homenetmen, 29-19, and take a 71-67 lead heading into the fourth frame.
Homenetmen started the fourth period with a 6-0 run to take the lead again, 73-71, but following an exchange of baskets, Blatche came alive with four triples as Strong Group took a 92-83 lead.
Lofton, who recently played for the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, finished with 37 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Gerard Hadidan and Elijah Holman had 21 and 18, respectively, for the 0-2 Homenetmen.
After taking a one-day break, the Charles Tiu-led Strong Group will return to action against Lebanon’s Beirut Club on Tuesday night (1:15 a.m. on Wednesday in Manila).
The post Dwight Howard fires 32 as Strong Group stays perfect first appeared on Fastbreak.
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