MANILA, Philippines – Strong Group Athletics (SGA) is pulling out all the stops in its redemption bid for the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

The team signed four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins as one of its reinforcements for the tournament scheduled from January 24 to February 2.

“We worked hard to get DeMarcus. I’ve heard great feedback about him and I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. He’s serious, means business, and wants to win,” said SGA head coach Charles Tiu in a statement.

“I’m excited for us to have another great star on our team!”

A burly 6-foot-10 big man, Cousins played 11 seasons in the NBA, most notably for the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans.

He averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 654 games and earned a pair of All-NBA Second Team selections.

After his NBA career, the 34-year-old Cousins took his talents overseas as he saw action for the Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico, Taiwan Beer Leopards in Taiwan, and the Zamboanga Valientes in The Asian Tournament.

An Olympic champion and a FIBA World Cup gold medalist with Team USA, Cousins won titles with both Taiwan Beer and Zamboanga — feats he also wants to replicate with SGA.

“Can’t wait to help bring home SGA’s first-ever Dubai International Basketball Championship,” Cousins wrote on his Facebook page.

With Cousins in tow, SGA hopes to get the job done this time after falling short of the crown earlier this year in the most heartbreaking fashion.

Despite being bolstered by former NBA standouts Dwight Howard and Andre Roberson, SGA fell to Al Riyadi-Lebanon on a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in the finale.

Al Riyadi will return for a shot at a third straight championship. – Rappler.com