Despite challenges in preparation, Charles Tiu hopes for the best for Strong Group in Dubai tilt

Charles Tiu, head coach of Strong Group, the Philippine representative to the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Tournament, admitted that the team faced big challenges before leaving the country on Thursday morning.

Included in those challenges are their short preparation time and the sudden replacement of big man Ange Kouame due to dengue.

"It's a very big challenge. We assumed that Ange Kouame would be there. That's how we constructed our lineup, knowing we'd have a seven-footer in Ange, but obviously without him, it's a big challenge for us," Tiu said in an interview with GMA Integrated News during their tuneup game against the Zamboanga Valientes.

De La Salle University's Kevin Quiambao will fill in the big shoes left by Kouame, a multi-time UAAP champion and naturalized player for the Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Despite the challenges, Tiu is optimistic that the team will be able to make it at least in the playoffs.

"Our goal is to try to compete for a championship. Hopefully, at least we can make the playoffs, but it's very hard, we had short preparation. Our guys have been injured, we haven't had one complete practice."

Tiu said the team started training just last January 11. Quiambao just joined the team in practice on Wednesday.

"We'll see how it goes but kami, laban lang kami."

Aside from Quiambao, Tiu's team will be composed of former NBA players Renaldo Balkman, Shabazz Muhammad, and Nick Young, and collegiate standouts such as NCAA MVP Will Gozum, Benilde teammate Migs Oczon, UAAP champions BJ Andrade, Jacob Lao, and Inand Fornillos, JD Cagulangan, Justine Baltazar, Jerom Lastimosa, and Lebron Lopez.

The Dubai Invitational will start on Friday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News