By MARK REY MONTEJO
Zamboanga remained winless as the Valientes suffered a 107-84 beating from Al Ahly SC Tripoli in the the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship Sunday, Jan. 26.
The Valientes got off to a great start but failed to sustain their charge, squandering a 17-point lead in the second frame, 36-19, as Tripoli unleashed a 24-3 run to regain a 43-39 cushion in the same quarter.
The Valientes never recovered from that onslaught.
Maltanese-Italian player Sam Deguara and Adonis Thomas produced 25 and 24 points, while Nic Cabanero backed them up with 14 for the Valientes.
Mohamed Sadi (25), Wuad Alok (24), Naseim Badrush (19), and Deng Yak (17) led the way for the Libya-based group as Al Ahli improved to 2-0.
Up next for Zamboanga is Sagesse SC this Tuesday, Jan. 28. Meanwhile, SGA tussles Beirut First late Monday, Jan. 27.
