Strong Group bucked a slow start in the opening frame and needed a huge spark from former Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young to hack out a 91-87 win over host United Arab Emirates national squad in opening day of the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship late Friday night at the Al-Nasr Club Hall.

The Philippine club team trail, 19-27 after the first period. But the 37-year-old Young caught fire from there, converting a four-point play and a couple of mid-range jumpers to help the Charles Tiu-coach side regain control with a 32-29 lead, 7:40 to go in the second canto.