NBA veteran Shabazz Muhammad and UAAP star BJ Andrade led Strong Group’s fiery start from the get-go en route to a 93-76 rough-housing of Al-Nasr of Libya to chalk up its second straight win in the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al-Nasr Club Hall early Sunday, January 29 (Manila time).

Muhammad, the 14th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA Draft, fired 13 of his 26 points in the opening frame, while Andrade knocked three triples to establish an early 35-16 lead.

The Libyan club team managed to cut the deficit to nine points several times in the second half, but the Charles Tiu-mentored Philippine side’s depth and firepower were just too much as Strong Group rolled to a 2-0 start.

“We played much better this time and my locals also did well,” said Tiu, whose team squeaked past United Arab Emirates on opening night late Friday 91-87.

Muhammad led Strong Group with 26 points, to go along with seven rebounds while Renaldo Balkman, who played for the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets, finished with all-around numbers of 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Filipino American playmaker Sedrick Barefield banged in 14 markers, while former La Salle stalwart Justine Baltazar had 10.

Andrade, Ateneo’s outgoing team skipper, along with UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year Kevin Quiambao, added nine apiece for Strong Group, which led by as many as 26 points.