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Chris McCullough and DeMarcus Cousins mix for 52 factors as Robust Group Athletics will get off to a profitable begin within the 2025 Dubai Worldwide Basketball Championship
MANILA, Philippines – Again with a vengeance.
Fueled by final 12 months’s heartbreak, Robust Group Athletics wasted little time flexing its muscle tissue within the Dubai Worldwide Basketball Championship because it kicked off its redemption bid with a 99-91 win over the UAE Nationwide Workforce on the Al Nasr Membership on Friday, January 24 (Saturday, January 25, Manila time).
Regardless of being a late addition to the lineup, Chris McCullough confirmed no indicators of rust as he instantly led the cost for Robust Group with 28 factors on 10-of-17 capturing.
Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins additionally impressed in his debut in a Robust Group uniform, ending with 24 factors on a wholesome 9-of-14 subject purpose clip, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Second Workforce member, went to work for Robust Group early, scattering 13 of his 24 factors within the first half to assist the Philippine aspect take a 44-40 lead on the break.
It was McCullough who then took care of enterprise for Robust Group late, unloading 16 of his game-high 28 factors within the fourth interval because the Filipinos lastly pulled away from the hosts after a decent battle within the first three quarters.
With UAE holding a slim 73-71 lead after a three-pointer by Omar Alameeri on the 7:17 mark of the ultimate body, McCullough knocked down a go-ahead triple that kickstarted a livid 14-0 Robust Group rally for an 85-73 cushion with 5:24 to play.
After Robust Group led by as many as 15 factors, UAE managed to get again inside 6 markers, 89-95, with nonetheless 2:16 remaining, earlier than Rhenz Abando linked on a floater, adopted by a thunderous two-handed slam by McCullough to place the hosts away for good.
Like McCullough and Cousins, former NBA participant Malachi Richardson breached the 20-point territory for Robust Group with 21 factors on 6-of-11 capturing.
Abando likewise completed in double-digit scoring for the Charles Tiu-mentored squad with 13.
On the opposite aspect, DeMarco Dickerson paced UAE within the shedding trigger with 25 factors, whereas Qais Alshabebi added 23.
Robust Group goes for a 2-0 begin when it battles one other hometown guess Al Nasr on Sunday, January 27 at 1 am, Manila time.
The Scores
Robust 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
