Fresh Faces for SGA in Dubai Tournament

A MIX of new and familiar faces will wear the Strong Group Athletics (SGA) shirt at the upcoming 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship, which runs from January 24 to February 2, 2025. 

Still reeling from their heartbreaking loss to Lebanese club Al-Riyadi in the 2024 Dubai Basketball Championship, despite having a formidable team, SGA is planning a revenge trip. 

The Frank Lao-owned basketball club continues to improve its squad by bringing in former NBA players and mixing them with the country’s finest and most promising young talented ballers.

Stacking It Up

Despite featuring former NBA players Nick Young, Shabazz Muhammad, and Renaldo Balkman in the 2023 Dubai tournament, Strong Group was eliminated early in the quarterfinals. 

In 2024, they had NBA Champion Dwight Howard and former Oklahoma star Andre Roberson, but they still didn’t win the title. This year, SGA will bring in the critical elements that will guide them back to the promised land. 

Strong Group bolstered its squad in inconceivable ways, adding former NBA players DeMarcus Cousins and Malachi Richardson, as well as international veteran Terry Larrier.

Richardson, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, was selected 22nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and has previously played for the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors. He then went abroad and played for several different teams.

“Malachi is a great shooter, a true professional, and has shown a great attitude so far,” said Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu. “We believe he’ll be a vital part of our success in Dubai.”

Meanwhile, Larrier is a 6-foot-7 small forward from New York. He has played in the G League for teams like San Diego and Wisconsin, and he also has a lengthy overseas resume that includes stops in various countries. 

Aside from these players, the introduction of a certain player yesterday, January 14, has been the talk of the town. A controversial star player was added to the team, surprising most Pinoy basketball enthusiasts.

Mikey Williams back in PH

Mikey Williams, a two-time PBA Finals MVP, will bring his sharpshooting and playmaking abilities to SGA, as the 33-year-old combo guard from Los Angeles arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday. 

This move reunites Williams with SGA’s head coach, Tiu. The two previously worked with Mighty Sports, which won the 2019 William Jones Cup and the 2020 Dubai Basketball Championship.

“I’m excited to be working with him again,” said Tiu of having Wiliams back on a squad he’s coaching. “I was quite close to him before. We won two championships together, and hopefully, we can win another one.”

Former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche, along with Rhenz Abando, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, Angelo Kouame, NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez will all return to the squad. 

With a more balanced talent and hungrier team entering the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship, it appears that Strong Group Athletics will have a shot at redemption.