Coach Charles Tie is back to call the shots for Strong Group PH which will see action in Dubai from January 27 to February 5.
In the 32nd edition of Dubai International Basketball Championship, coach Charles Tiu and Strong Group Philippines have signed in big guns to beef up their roster and try to recreate the 7-0 finish of the team back in 2020.
Strong Group PH is set to be spearheaded by naturalized big man Ange Koume, together with NBA veterans Nick Young and Renaldo Balkman and Filipino-American guard Sedrick Barefield, revealed coach Tiu.
Additionally, the Caesar Wongchuking-owned team, headed by Ateneo standout Jacob Lao now team owner, tapped Japan B.League import Justine Baltazar, reigning NCAA MVP Will Gozum, four-time UAAP champion BJ Andrade and Inand Fornillos of Ateneo.
According to Sports Inquirer, Tiu is raring to coach the homecoming Baltazar after his short stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.
“Balti is going to be big for us, he wasn’t given much of a chance in Japan but the kid is a great player and I plan to use him as a big wing and power forward, but of course, it all remains to be seen on how it will look when we start practicing,” said the Strong Group coach who is locked in for the preparation of the competition which will run from January 27 to February 5.
He claimed that his own player from the CSB Blazers will have to compete for minutes as he shares the same position with most of their imports.
“ (They) will have to compete with the other guys for his minutes. It’s a whole different ball game and he’s playing the same position as the imports, but let’s see how he will fare,” Tiu added.
In 2020, the then Mighty Sports became the first non-Middle Eastern team of the Dubai showpiece which eventually took the crown after parading a packed roster led by fellow NBA vets Andray Blatche and Balkman as reported by Business World.
Helping the team were Mikey Williams and Jamie Malonzo, before their jumping to the PBA, alongside brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Dave Ildefonso, Isaac G, and veterans Beau Belga and Joseph Yeo.
“Balti will finally get that chance to prove himself again in a very competitive tournament so I’m very excited for him. and for the other players, it’s rare that a team has the reigning NCAA MVP in Will Gozum, a four-time UAAP champion in BJ Andrade, the championship experience of an athletic 3 and D guy in Inand Fornilos, they’re all winners in their own ways and their experience will surely help the team for them,” Lao then added, contented with his line up.
Tags: #internationalbasketball, #NBA, #Dubai