Dwight Howard, Andray Blatche arrive in Manila for training

THE WAIT is finally over. 2020 NBA champion Dwight Howard and former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche landed together at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Sunday evening.

Howard wasted no time in sharing news about their visit on social media, saying, “Guess what, y’all? We finally arrived in the Philippines.”

Howard and Blatche’s journey to the Philippines was delayed by a day. Andre Roberson and Strong Group mainstay McKenzie Moore arrived early.

The players will intensify their training with Strong Group Athletics, which will compete in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship from January 19 to 28 with a star-studded squad.

Strong Group Athletics held its first practice yesterday as well. Roberson and Moore are already getting to know their teammates, as seen on a team social media post.

Collegiate stars include UAAP MVP Kevin Quimbao and Francis Escandor of De La Salle University, University of the Philippines point guard JD Cagulangan, and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot.

Strong Group Athletics not only has a good lineup of players but it is also well-coached. They are led by head coach Charles Tiu, Brian Goorjian and UAAP champion coach Topex Robinson.

SGA is a heavy favorite in the annual weeklong pocket tournament, which involves some of the Middle East’s greatest teams with powerful lineups, like the previous year when it featured ex-NBA stars Nick Young and Shabazz Muhammad.

Strong Group Athletics, on the other hand, will attempt to rebound from their disastrous early departure in the previous tournament, with the club now led by Howard, who’s probably the best import they’ve had.