Zamboanga Valientes lose steam anew to fall 0-2 in Dubai basketball tilt

A win remained elusive for the Zamboanga Valientes after wasting another early lead to succumb to Al Ahly Tripoli, 107-84, in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on late Sunday in Dubai, UAE.

The Philippine representative squandered a 17-point cushion en route to dropping to a 0-2 card after also absorbing a 97-82 loss to Al Sharjah Club in their tournament opener on Saturday.

Similar to their first game, Zamboanga got off to a hot start with Nic Cabañero sinking a pair of free throws to send the squad to a 36-19 early in the second period. But Al Ahly Tripoli slowly crawled back behind Mohamed Sadi, whose four straight baskets capped off a pivotal 24-3 run for a 43-39 lead with 56 seconds left in the second period.

Al Ahly Tripoli ended the first half with a complete turnaround, enjoying a 51-44 advantage over the Philippine side.

Cabañero, one of the many new recruits for Zamboanga, displayed his clutch attitude in the fourth quarter, knocking down a three-pointer that cut the deficit to eight before Adonis Thomas' jumper made it an 86-80 affair.

But the Filipinos failed to sustain that momentum with Sadi, Deng Angok Yak, and Wuat Alok fueling a 15-4 blitz that saw Al Ahly Tripoli marching on to a 101-84 lead in the final 1:46.

Sadi and Alok formed a one-two punch for Al Ahly Tripoli with the former finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, and three assists while the latter posted 24 markers, 11 boards, and one dime.

Over a Zamboanga side, Thomas and Samuel Deguara led the way with 25 points apiece with the Italian-Maltese also grabbing eight rebounds and one assist.

Zamboanga will look to break through when it takes on Sagesse on early Wednesday.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News