The Philippine-based team is bringing heavy reinforcements to Dubai.
On Monday night, 12-year NBA veteran Nick Young arrived in Manila to join Philippine-based team Strong Group Realty in preparation for the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship. Along with Young was another former NBA cager, Shabazz Muhammad, who’s also set to help the Charles Tiu-coached squad in their bid to win it all.
In 2020, Mighty Sports featured notable names like Renaldo Balkman, Mikey Williams, and Andray Blatche as they conquered the Dubai tournament under the same coach. Now, it looks like Tiu and the Jacob Lao-owned club are not taking any chances as they aim for what would be a virtual back-to-back title for the Philippines.
In Charles Tiu’s tweet, the two highly touted reinforcements posed for the cameras, looking upbeat and brimming with swag, of course.
Young has been teasing his Filipino fans with a series of tweets, hinting at a visit to the country, and perhaps a stint in the PBA.
Shabazz on the other hand, is no stranger to Philippine basketball. He played for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2021 Governors’ Cup, averaging an eye-popping 35.3 points and 18 boards through four games.
The two former NBA cagers should boost Strong Group’s chances of winning the championship in Dubai. Young, although he’s already 37 years old, is a flat-out scorer. He once averaged 17.9 points in the NBA, and even posted a career-high of 43 points. Muhammad, meanwhile, had two double-figure scoring seasons in his five-year NBA run.
Who knows? An impressive campaign with Strong Group might just turn out as a prelude to a future tour of duty in the PBA.