The Zamboanga Valientes will battle a team that will field a familiar face when they clash with Sagesse Sports Club on Wednesday in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championships at the Al Nasr Club in the United Arab Emirates.
Tip-off will be at 1 a.m. (Manila time) as the Valientes look to end their two-game losing streak versus a team reinforced by former San Miguel Beer and Magnolia import Shabazz Muhammad.
Zamboanga’s recent defeat was to Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya, 104-87, last Monday.
The Valientes led by as many as 17 points, 36-19, with 7:35 left in the second quarter but Al Ahli led a 24-3 run and never looked back.
Zamboanga even had a chance to stay within distance after Adonis Thomas drained a jumper to trail by six, 80-86, with 6:08 left in the fourth quarter.
But a triple from Mohamed Sadi with 5:57 left kickstarted a 21-4 run that finished off the Valientes.
Sadi finished with 25 points for Al Ahli while Wuat Alok had a double-double output of 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Sam Deguara dropped 25 points and eight rebounds for the Valientes while Thomas had 24 points.
Nic Cabanero was the only local for Zamboanga to reach double digits with 14 points.
Sagesse will be a tough nut to crack for the Valientes after it lost 76-87 to the Tunisia national team last Sunday and Muhammad almost had a double-double with 29 points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, Strong Group Athletics is going up against Lebanese club Beirut First at press time.