Aside from the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship trophy, Rhenz Abando is also using the tournament as a vehicle to honor his late grandmother, who passed away just days after the team’s arrival in the United Arab Emirates.

The former Letran College star said he is dedicating his performance in the cagfest to his Lola Ansing, who took care of him alongside his mother.

Abando currently averages 9.0 points in Strong Group’s four wins in Group A.

“I grew up with my grandmother and without my father, she became my mother and my mother became my father,” Abando said.

“My grandmother has been with me since I was a kid and she raised me and my siblings so I can proudly say I am a Lola’s boy.”

Abando’s best game for Strong Group was in the first match where he scored 13 points in a 99-91n win over the United Arab Emirates national team last Saturday.

At press time, Strong Group is battling against Sharjah SC in the quarterfinal.

With the pain of losing his grandmother fueling him in the Dubai tilt, Abando is determined to help Strong Group win the title it lost last year.

“Playing here helps me forget the pain I am feeling right now,” Abando said.

“I am doing this for my family and not just for myself because I want them to experience the good life, especially to my mother and grandmother. The goal is to win the championship and we are all on the same page.