MANILA, Philippines — Chris McCullough and DeMarcus Cousins powered Strong Group Athletics past the United Arab Emirates national team, 99-91, to jumpstart their Dubai International Basketball Championship 2025 campaign on a high note on Saturday (Manila time) at Al Nasr Club.

Seeking redemption after last year’s runner-up finish, the Philippine side turned to McCullough–a last-minute addition to the squad–to ignite a 14-0 run in the fourth for an 85-73 spread with five minutes left.

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UAE cut it down to 95-89 in the final two minutes before Rhenz Abando stopped the bleeding with a floater and McCullough followed it up with an emphatic slam to keep the home team at bay.

SCHEDULE: Strong Group, Valientes at Dubai Basketball Championship 2025

Strong Group forward Chris McCullough sizes up his defender during a game in the Duba International Basketball Championship.–SGA PHOTO

The American forward led the way with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.

Four-time NBA All-Star Cousins had a good debut for Strong Group with 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 20 minutes of action, while his fellow ex-NBA player Malachi Richardson had 21 points and five rebounds.

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Abando was the top-performing local for SGA with 13 points, while Jason Brickman had five points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in running the point.

READ: Strong Group brings back Chris McCullough for Dubai tournament

UAE banked on DeMarco Dickerson who had 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists.  Qais Alshabebi tallied 23 points and seven rebounds.

Strong Group battles Al Nasr on Sunday, while its fellow Philippine squad Zamboanga Valientes open their campaign against Al Sharjah.