STRONG Group Athletics continues to bolster its roster, assembling a formidable lineup for the Philippine team, which will compete in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship in late January.
On Tuesday, Strong Group Athletics astonished Filipino basketball fans and the entire basketball community by announcing the signing of 2020 NBA Champion Dwight Howard.
𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 💫✨
— Strong Group Athletics (@stronggroupathl) January 3, 2024
💪@DwightHoward is coming to the Philippines! 🇵🇭#StrongerTogether #DubaiBasketball 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/dV61x181u9
Howard will lead the star-studded cast, as the former three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year just came from a T1 stint in Taiwan with the Taoyuan Leopards before joining Strong Group.
“We pursued Dwight because we believe he can provide a significant defensive presence and contribute offensively. Andray Blatche played a crucial role in connecting us, and I’m grateful for the support from our owners Frank and Jacob Lao,” stated head coach Charles Tiu.
Blatche, a former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center, will also return to the country. He previously won the competition with Mighty Sports in 2020, teaming up with Renaldo Balkman.
𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 🏠🇵🇭@drayblatche is set to ignite the court as he represents the Philippines anew, this time with Strong Group Athletics! 🏆🏀#StrongerTogether #DubaiBasketball 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/haDsPW9xeU
— Strong Group Athletics (@stronggroupathl) January 3, 2024
“I’m excited to run with Dre Blatche again. We won the last time he played for me, and he’s eager to represent the Philippines once more,” adds Tiu, who hopes to win a championship in Dubai.
Andre Roberson, another NBA veteran, will also play under Tiu’s system. Roberson, known for being part of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will now round out the Strong Group’s initial NBA group.
𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊 ⚡
— Strong Group Athletics (@stronggroupathl) January 3, 2024
Get ready for an ELECTRIFYING campaign as Andre Roberson and McKenzie Moore will be part of Strong Group for the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship 🇵🇭#StrongerTogether #DubaiBasketball 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/yVnZftwKcr
“Andre Roberson is known to be a workhorse and lock-down defender. I believe he can contribute offensively at this level, and his great team-oriented attitude will make him an excellent fit,” Tiu said.
Meanwhile, McKenzie Moore, a mainstay with the Strong Group, will run it back in order to familiarize the squad.
In addition to the revelations from the roster’s players, Brian Goorjian, the squad’s team consultant, will also provide a significant boost.
𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐊 💪
— Strong Group Athletics (@stronggroupathl) January 3, 2024
Brian Goorjian is joining forces with Strong Group Athletics as the team consultant for the upcoming Dubai International Basketball Championship! 🌏🔥 #StrongerTogether #DubaiBasketball 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/WS25RQGIjd
Tiu highlighted his excitement at working alongside Goorjian, the former Bay Area Dragons head coach, on Twitter.
“Can’t wait to work with my good friend Brian Goorjian. Been a long time coming. Great chance for me to learn from him. He’s a legend,” he wrote in his post.
Kevin Quiambao and Francis Escandor of De La Salle University, as well as Harold Alarcon and JD Cagulangan of the University of the Philippines, are also on the team’s roster.
The 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship will take place from January 19 to January 28.