The rules for STPC state that you must take the best connection time from DXB however, what if all the connection times are over 8 hours?

To be more specific, I am looking at booking a flex fare from MAN to DPS. EK18 would be the shortest connection at 8 hours 5 minutes however, I would prefer to take EK22 (12 hours 20 minutes), as that would give me a longer sleep in DXB.

Should I take EK22, rather than EK18, are EK likely to honour STPC?