The Zamboanga Valientes suffered their third straight loss when they fell prey to Sagesse SC of Lebanon, 65-90, in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship last Wednesday at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai.
Led by former National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Shabazz Muhammad, who scored 32 points and eight rebounds, the Lebanese club torched the Valientes in a lopsided affair to keep them winless in this prestigious club competition.
The Valientes struggled as early as the first quarter, 8-26, and never found their footing against the bigger, faster players of the Lebanese club.
Prince Caperal and NBA veteran Adonis Thompson were the only Zamboanga players to reach double digits with 18 points apiece.
Sam Deguara, the Valientes’ 7-foot-7 center, was limited to only nine points while University of Santo Tomas star Nic Cabañero was also quiet with only eight points.
Zamboanga’s maiden campaign in the Dubai tilt has been a rough affair.
The Valientes opened their campaign with an 82-97 loss to home bet Sharjah last Sunday before absorbing an 84-107 defeat against Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya a day later.
At press time, Zamboanga is battling the Tunisian national team in a bid to salvage a win that will give it some measure of pride in this international club event.
Also competing is Strong Group Athletics, which is facing Amman United of Jordan.
Powered by four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, Strong Group has been on a roll as it topped Group A with a 3-0 win-loss record.
Their latest win, an 85-78 decision over Beirut First of Lebanon, saw Cousins explode with a double-double game of 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Still, Strong Group coach Charles Tiu wants his wards to keep improving.
After all, before Strong Group gets ready for the playoffs, they must focus on Amman United, which is powered by Jordan national team point guard Freddy Ibrahim.
“We are good so far. We are starting to play better after each game. Let’s not forget we’ve never played together,” Tiu said.
“Still lots of room to improve.”
Strong Group is on a redemption tour after crumbling in last year’s finals, 74-77, against Lebanese powerhouse Al Riyadi Beirut.