Strong Group Athletics had to adjust in the second half to fend off AS Sale of Morocco, 92-80, to reach the semifinal of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai last Saturday.

Andre Roberson, who led the team with 18 points, said the Moroccan club gave them a good game that they had to tweak their game.

"Rough start in the first half. We had to get our bearings together. They gave us our best shot," Roberson said.

"We came out in the second half and had complete quarters. That's all about, sticking together, fighting adversity and coming out with a win."

Justine Baltazar capped a 12-3 run by Strong Group in the one-minute-mark of the third quarter to turn a slim 55-54 edge into a 67-57 lead.

National Basketball Association champion Dwight Howard had a double-double game for Strong Group with 17 points and 12 rebounds while former TNT Tropang Giga import McKenzie Moore also had 17 points to his name as Strong Group inched closer to the title.

At press time Strong Group is facing Sports Club Beirut of Lebanon in the semifinal.

A win here will have the Filipino basketball team go up against Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli or defending champion Al Riyadi in the championship round.