Despite the limited training of the team, Strong Group Athletics assistant coach Zoran Martič believes it is still sufficient enough for them to rule 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Martic, the former head coach of the Chiba Jets in the Japan B.League, told DAILY TRIBUNE that the players’ intensity allowed them to stay competitive with only a few weeks to train.

Strong Group is competing against the United Arab Emirates national team at the Al Nasr Sports Center at press time.

“Well, it’s a short period for preparation. It’s obvious that we didn’t have much time, but I think we are improving from day to day,” Martič said.

“I know that you guys are really passionate about basketball. And I can say that, okay, you don’t have size, but your players are tough. They’re competitive and they’re very passionate, so I like that.”

The 59-year-old Slovenian mentor, who will be head coach Charles Tiu’s deputy, is all too familiar with Filipino players.

During his stint with Chiba in the B.League from 2020 to 2024, he saw the rise of Filipino basketball players such as Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Kai Sotto.

In fact, Tamayo and the Golden Kings defeated the Jets for the 2022-2023 B.League championship.

Strong Group is looking to capture the title this time after suffering a 74-77 loss to Al Riyadi of Lebanon in last year’s finals.