Strong Group Athletics at the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship

[Metta]

in essence, basketball cred for the owners (Lao). i wish them luck on the court and with the other rich people they will be rubbing elbows with maybe they'll be allowed to open a Gloria Maris in Dubai or something.

for the building brand in the Philippines, im 50/50 on that. Mighty sports was the company who use to send a team here before. im not really sure if fans was wanting them to join the PBA or whatever. SGA came in and pushed them out and now we dont hear of mighty sports anymore. whats to say that might or can happen to SGA? SGA already has local teams and supporting certain schools. their brand is far better rooted in the Philippines already.

all in all, if this is how they wanna roll, go for it. and like i said, i wish them luck. its additional games we fans get to watch.

The Lao group has access to China liquidity (which is about to flood the world) and their resto business is chump change compared to the potential of their mining/energy/shipping business.

It's like how one who doesn't really like golf pay multi-millions just to have access to coffee shops in country clubs.

[CoJ]

To be honest, PBA teams look at other leagues as below them that is why they don't give much effort in EASL. Their parochial thinking makes them treat a PBA championship as a better goal. Big fish in a small pond mentality.

They also think that the only reason why the other leagues are beating the pba is due to the no of imports. If the competition would be for locals pba is still superior

[C2Hamm]

The Lao group has access to China liquidity (which is about to flood the world) and their resto business is chump change compared to the potential of their mining/energy/shipping business.

i mentioned this in the past, I am aware of this offshore mining they partnered up with.

It's like how one who doesn't really like golf pay multi-millions just to have access to coffee shops in country clubs.

this is pretty much where Valientes is. wants to have a foot on the door.

SGA seems to want to play with the big boys.as i said, good luck to them.

[Metta]

Sir Mets,
cc: Sir Filwelsh,

who knows maybe if they could establish that solid connection and rapport to those filthy richie rich they could convince them to invest in Philippine basketball moving forward.

considering they've already witnessed how passionate those OFW with game

as you said "Unquantifiable but priceless if done right".

I think this is also one of the main reason and agenda of the Zambo Valientes despite their intention for this edition was only "for the sake of participating".

just like the intention of SMB @ the EASL.... ooops!! I'm biting my tongue it should be posted on the other thread pala.

Yes, it's all about building relationships.

These different sports events (hoops, F1, golf, football, etc) that Dubai is hosting is a part of their "Sports Events Tourism." They want to be some type of global Las Vegas, where different events/conventions regularly occur.

The project is still in its infancy so businessmen who participate/support it get brownie points from the sheiks.

[gospursgo]

Chris koon as the last man in the lineup

[Rds]

Chris koon as the last man in the lineup

Makes sense. They need a 3rd guard.

[gospursgo]

Makes sense. They need a 3rd guard.

Yup he should do well backing up dave and rhenz. Has some size to for 2 guard spot and can be a solid secondary playmaker.

[BJ_Reloaded]

curious for CK on his late inclusion, let's see what he can bring on the table.

[Rds]

Yup he should do well backing up dave and rhenz. Has some size to for 2 guard spot and can be a solid secondary playmaker.

He has experience as a secondary playmaker and is taller than Dave or Rhenz. Rhenz and Dave should get more minutes. But I have a feeling Koon's skill sets, playmaking and defense, and size will be need by this SGA team. Also, Dave has something to prove. He is the rare KBL Pinoy import that was let go by his team. I think he is the only of the high profile guys to be so. I think the problem is he's too slow and bulky for his position as a 2 guard. Even in KBL you see him do post-ups. Guard post-ups are not used anymore in this day and age.

[FilWelsh]

Al Riyadi Beirut, the 2023 and 2024 back-to-back champions is the team to beat in this tournament. Their biggest strength is their cohesiveness and chemistry. In contrast that would be SGA’s downside although on paper they are the strongest team. But are formed just less than 10 days ago. Only 5 holdovers from its 2024 Jones Cup winning squad : Kouame, Abando, Indefonso, Liwag and Ynot…

[FilWelsh]

I think Chris Koon’s style of play will thrive in international ball setting. I am wondering if when he is able to secure FIBA exemption? If it’s really before reaching 23 is revised upper limit that SBP can push and apply exemption for heritage players who played at least 1 year in Philippine collegiate leagues? Can somebody provide citation from FIBA manual about this provision?

[FilWelsh]

Like Kouame, Valientes pivotman Malick Diouf has been residing in Manila for more than 5 years. Looks like he is going to stay and resorted to just a part- time stand in import in less prestigious ASEAN regional tournaments. I doubt that any stakeholders would invest to have him naturalised…

[FilWelsh]

Defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut will be there…

Al Riyadi reportedly backed out just few days before tournament commences. With the 2023 & 2024 champions not partipating it’s almost in the bag for SGA.

[Metta]

Al Riyadi reportedly backed out just few days before tournament commences. With the 2023 & 2024 champions not partipating it’s almost in the bag for SGA.

Suddenly, that $1M cash prize makes this look like a good investment gamble.

[BJ_Reloaded]

Like Kouame, Valientes pivotman Malick Diouf has been residing in Manila for more than 5 years. Looks like he is going to stay and resorted to just a part- time stand in import in less prestigious ASEAN regional tournaments. I doubt that any stakeholders would invest to have him naturalised…

Good Day Sir Fil,

when 6'11 Malik Diouf ended his eligibility in S85 he is 20 yrs. old

I think he is now barely 21 or 22 yrs. old now come tournament proper

being a UP alumni and one of the main cog for their 2nd championship

and UP having one of the most influential stakeholders/alumni of Philippine college basketball both politically and big-time businessmen

led by the Remullas and the Gokongweis among others

I don't think Malik may be lacking in terms of "backers" as far as " processing his naturalization are concern".

it really all depends on his handlers what to do moving forward.

I don't think the Senegal Basketball Federation are interested enough to include him in their future and current pool

considering theirs an abundance of talents they could choose from domestically and some was also part

of Division 1 schools basketball program.

same with Ange, those 2 had a strong chance to get an exemption moving forward.

again Sir Fil, it does makes sense.