Dwight Howard keeps rooting for PH, Dubai-bound Strong Group

FILE – Dwight Howard and the Strong Group Athletics team at the Dubai International Basketball Championship.–SGA FACEBOOK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Dwight Howard may not suit up for Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the upcoming Dubai International Basketball Championship, but he’s still rooting for the Philippines.

In fact, the former NBA superstar even said that he refused to play for other teams that tried to recruit him for the Dubai tournament that was supposed to tip on January 24.

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“I was offered to play for a couple of teams in the Dubai tournament, but I can’t go against my Pinoy fans. Let’s go, Strong Group! Let’s Go, Dray Live! Let’s go, Boogie! Let’s go Coach Charles! Stay Strong,” Howard wrote on X on Monday.

Howard spearheaded Strong Group’s campaign in Dubai last year but left unfinished business when the Philippine side lost in the title match to Lebanon’s Al-Riyadi on a buzzer-beater.

READ: Dwight Howard leads Strong Group into Dubai tournament finals

Another former NBA standout in DeMarcus Cousins ​​has been tapped to fill the void left by Howard at center. Backstopping Cousins ​​is the returning Andray Blatche along with fellow American additions Malachi Richardson and Terry Larrier.

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Former TNT Tropang Giga-ace Mikey Williams is also expected to play a big role for the Strong Group.

SGA coach Charles Tiu hopes to have Howard back in the fold for next year’s tilt.

“Man, we’re going to miss you this year, but next year for sure let’s run it back,” Tiu said in a response to Howard’s post.

The 39-year-old Howard, a vital piece in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run, last played for the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament, where he is also a co-owner.