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The Philippines’ Strong Group Athletics opened its redemption bid in the Dubai International Basketball Championship with a win against the United Arab Emirates National Team, 99-91, Friday at the Al Nasr Club.
Strong Group was comfortably leading 93-78 with less than five minutes in the fourth period before the UAE National Team made an 8-0 run to inch closer. DeMarcus Cousins broke the short dry spell for one of the Philippine representatives before Hamid Abdullateef drilled a triple to give UAE a chance with 2:16 remaining.
A floater from Rhenz Abando and a Chris McCollough dunk gave Strong Group a 10-point lead before cruising onto the victory despite DeMarco Dickerson’s late basket.
