Chris McCullough, DeMarcus Cousins shine as Strong Group edges UAE in Dubai opener

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Chris McCullough and DeMarcus Cousins combine for 52 points as Strong Group Athletics gets off to a winning start in the 2025 Dubai International Basketball Championship

MANILA, Philippines – Back with a vengeance. 

Fueled by last year’s heartbreak, Strong Group Athletics wasted little time flexing its muscles in the Dubai International Basketball Championship as it kicked off its redemption bid with a 99-91 win over the UAE National Team at the Al Nasr Club on Friday, January 24 (Saturday, January 25, Manila time). 

Despite being a late addition to the lineup, Chris McCullough showed no signs of rust as he immediately led the charge for Strong Group with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins also impressed in his debut in a Strong Group uniform, finishing with 24 points on a healthy 9-of-14 field goal clip, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, went to work for Strong Group early, scattering 13 of his 24 points in the first half to help the Philippine side take a 44-40 lead at the break. 

It was McCullough who then took care of business for Strong Group late, unloading 16 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth period as the Filipinos finally pulled away from the hosts after a tight battle in the first three quarters.

With UAE holding a slim 73-71 lead after a three-pointer by Omar Alameeri at the 7:17 mark of the final frame, McCullough knocked down a go-ahead triple that kickstarted a furious 14-0 Strong Group rally for an 85-73 cushion with 5:24 to play.

After Strong Group led by as many as 15 points, UAE managed to get back within 6 markers, 89-95, with still 2:16 remaining, before Rhenz Abando connected on a floater, followed by a thunderous two-handed slam by McCullough to put the hosts away for good. 

Like McCullough and Cousins, former NBA player Malachi Richardson breached the 20-point territory for Strong Group with 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

Abando likewise finished in double-digit scoring for the Charles Tiu-mentored squad with 13.  

On the other side, DeMarco Dickerson paced UAE in the losing cause with 25 points, while Qais Alshabebi added 23.

Strong Group goes for a 2-0 start when it battles another hometown bet Al Nasr on Sunday, January 27 at 1 am, Manila time. 

The Scores

Strong Group Athletics 99 – McCullough 28, Cousins 24, Richardson 21, Abando 13, Brickman 5, Liwag 4, Kouame 2, Ildefonso 2, Blatche 0, Williams 0, Sanchez 0.

UAE 91 – Dickerson 25, Alshabebi 23, Abdullateef H. 12, Hussein 7, Muhammad 7, Foster 7, Ndiaye 4, Ingram 3, Alameeri 3, Abdullateef A. 0, Almaazmi 0, Salem 0.

Quarters: 25-24, 44-40, 63-62, 99-91.

– Rappler.com