Zamboanga Valientes continue to seek first win in 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship after double-digit loss to Al Ahly Tripoli.
Zamboanga Valientes once again squandered a first quarter lead as they fell in a lopsided loss, 107-84, against the Al Ahly Tripoli in their second game at the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship at Al Nasr Club on Sunday night.
The Valientes, one of two Philippine teams in the tournament, had another strong start similar to their opener when they led the Tripoli, 28-19, at the end of the first quarter.
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But their foes doubled up on them, 32-16, in the next canto to overtake the Valientes, 51-44, heading into the halftime break.
Zamboanga led by as much as 17 points after an 8-0 run to begin the second quarter, but the tides were turned by a 24-3 scoring burst punctuated by eight straight points from Mohamed Sadi as the Libyans took the lead, 43-39, with 56 ticks left in the first half.
That was the beginning of the end for the Valientes as they hardly threatened in the second half, only coming as close as within six points in the fourth quarter before Al Ahly ran away with the victory on a 23-point margin.
Sadi played an almost perfect game for Tripoli with 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting along with six rebounds, and three assists.
Wuat Alok had a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Valientes, Samuel Deguara once again led the team in scoring with 25 points along with eight boards, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Adonis Thomas flexed his NBA experience with 24 markers, four rebounds, three assists, and a block in the losing effort.
Nic Cabañero was the bright spot for the locals with 14 points.
The Valientes thus hope to fan any hopes of making it to the next round when they face Sagesse SC of Lebanon on Tuesday.