‘Luto!’ Strong Group exits Dubai stint in painful and frustrating loss

Strong Group crashed out of the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship following a "painful and frustrating" quarterfinals loss to Lebanon's Al Riyadi, 106-97.

The Philippine club had no answer for Amir Saoud who finished with 41 points. Coach Charles Tiu admitted in a Tweet that they couldn't contain Al Riyadi's ace.

"Couldn't stop Saoud today no matter what we did. Just too experienced for our team right now," Tiu said. "Offense wasn't the problem but we couldn't get stops."

Tiu, however, also cried foul on what he believed to be poor officiating. He even went as far as calling it "cooked" for the Middle Eastern club.

"Didn't help that we got cooked badly. I don't know what game the refs were watching."

Painful and frustrating loss for us. Couldn’t stop Saoud today no matter what we did. Just too experienced for our team right now. Offense wasn’t the problem but couldn’t get stops. Didn’t help that we got cooked badly. I don’t know what game the refs we’re watching.

— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) February 2, 2023

Despite the disappointing exit, Tiu vowed to return and come back stronger to reclaim the title for the Philippines.

Thank you to our Filipino fans for supporting us. We are sorry for the loss. We will come back stronger for sure.

— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) February 2, 2023