From January 24 to February 2, 2025, two teams will represent the Philippines in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship. Who are they?
Strong Group Athletics: A Golden Mission
Last year, the Strong Group Athletics Philippines led by the NBA Superstar Legend Dwight Howard failed to get the championship against the eventual champions Al-Riyadi. This time, another former NBA Superstar will join the team as the former Golden State Warrior Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins is part of the line-up formed by Coach Charles Tiu.
Coach Charles is familiar with international competitions since he’s been coaching the Philippine teams playing in Dubai and Taiwan for the Jones Cup. Before the pandemic, he was the coach of Mighty Sports Philippines and now it’s the SGA Philippines. There is a high expectation for this squad to reach the Finals and win it all since they won last year’s 43rd William Jones Cup championship where they were led by Finals MVP Chris McCullough.
Aside from Boogie, SGA will also be joined by former NBA player Malachi Richardson and international journeyman Terry Larrier. To further solidify their squad, they’re bringing in naturalized Gilas players Andray Blatche and Ange Kouame. As for the local players, Coach Charles has tapped Rhenz Abando, Dave Ildefonso, Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez, who won the Jones Cup championship along with him.
And to make things more interesting, Jason Brickman, a former player as well for Coach Charles in Mighty Sports will make a comeback. More surprisingly, the 2-time Finals MVP of the TNT Tropang Giga, Mikey Williams will also be making a comeback in Philippine basketball after being out for 2 years.
This team is surely packed with talent as they feature quality Filipino Hoopers and former NBA players. With all of this, can the Strong Group Athletics win the title this time?
New Kids in Town: Zamboanga Valientes
A team that is from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is now making their Dubai debut and their team can compete at the highest level possible. Led by the former San Miguel Beermen Kyt Jimenez, they will be the second team representing the Philippines for the 34th Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
The team is owned by Junnie Navarro and it was announced that they will have the services of former UAAP MVP Malick Diouf, UST Growling Tiger Forthsky Padrigao, ex-PBA player Mike Tolomia and the 7-foot-6 journeyman Sam Deguara. It isn’t clear yet but as reported by Spin.ph writer Gerry Ramos last January 4, 2025, the Valientes may also try and recruit their Zamboanga natives which are: Rudy Lingganay, Denver Cadiz, and Job Alcantara. Also reported by Sports Insider Snow Badua of Spin.ph, he posted on his Facebook Page on January 15 2025 that former Barangay Ginebra players Prince Caperal (6-foot-7) and Ken Holmqivist (6-foot-8) are joining the team. He even mentioned in his Facebook post that “The JUNNIE NAVARRO-owned squad is said to be putting premium on height.”
The remaining players in the squad have yet to be announced but Snow Badua hinted that the third international import for the Zamboanga Valientes can either be former NBA Champions Mario Chalmers or Dwight Howard.
Regardless of the other local players that will complete the roster for this team, it will surely be a great experience for these players on what it’s like to play in the international competition.
A Treat for OFW Fans
Whatever the case may be, having two teams representing the Philippines will be a treat for our overseas Filipino workers over there in Dubai. Whichever Philippine team wins the championship, one thing is certain, Filipino fans will give their all-out support to their fellow kababayans.
