Strong Group Athletics made an impressive start following an 82-66 trashing of the United Arab Emirates national team 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Nasr Stadium in Dubai early Saturday. (Manila time).

Former Oklahoma City Thunder cager Andre Roberson delivered a double-double effort of 15 points and 16 rebounds to kick off the Filipino club's quesr for the crown after a quarterfinal exit last year.

Former National Basketball Association champion Dwight Howard made 14 points behind a 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed six rebounds while University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao racked up 13 points.

Hamid Abdullateef led the UAE with 19 points in a losing effort.

Strong Group will look to make it two wins in a row when it goes up against Al Wahda Sports Club tonight at 9:15 p.m.