Howard: We can beat Detroit

Former NBA star Dwight Howard couldn’t help but poke fun at the Detroit Pistons, saying that his Strong Group Philippines crew can beat the NBA’s cellar-dwelling team.

Howard, through a post on his X account (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Jan. 9, said that his team, which also features fellow former NBA player Andre Roberson, former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche and Mckenzie Moore, can defeat the 3-33 Pistons.

“My team in the Philippines could beat the Pistons,” posted Howard.

“Me, Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson and McKenzie (Moore), lol it’s over,” he added.

Detroit recently tied the Philadelphia 76ers for the longest drought of a team in league history when it absorbed its 28th straight loss.

Howard might really have a case as aside from high-caliber reinforcements, a young potent crew is also being formed after Strong Group added collegiate standouts Kevin Quiambao, Francis Escandor, JD Cagulangan, Justin Sanchez, Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot.

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League MVP and one of the country’s top amateur star Justine Baltazar is also in the lineup that is set to see action in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Tournament.

Filipino-Americans Jordan Heading and Mikey Williams are also reportedly bolstering the crew which will be handled by an All-Star cast led by head coach Charles Tiu, with De La Salle champion coach Topex Robinson and former Bay Area Dragons coach and Australia national team mentor Brian Goorjian as his deputies.

The Strong Group team, which bowed out in the quarterfinals in the last year’s edition, is already deep in its preparations for its bid to reclaim the crown in the tournament slated from Jan. 19 to 28 in Dubai, UAE. — Mark Rey Montejo