No Rhenz Abando, no problem as Strong Group-Pilipinas meant business in their opening game at the 43rd William Jones Cup.
Leave no mercy.
Strong Group-Pilipinas are off to a rousing start in the 2024 William Jones Cup in Taiwan thanks to a masterful 104-79 win over the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, July 13.
Former PBA import Chris McCullough led the way for Strong Group with a double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds, alongside five assists, while Caelan Tiongson added 13 points on a perfect 5/5 shooting.
RJ Abarrientos and Kiefer Ravena also put on a dazzling passing clinic, dishing out 10 and eight assists, respectively, in a statement win for the Philippines. Rhenz Abando sat out this opening game for SGA.
The Philippines led by as many as 28 points, en route to a wire-to-wire win in a tournament that the Filipinos last won in 2019 under the banner of Mighty Sports.
Strong Group-Pilipinas maintained a strong start and held 50-32 halftime lead, with Jordan Heading and McCullough combining for 18 points.
After back-to-back dunks from McCullough and Tajuan Agee to make it 71-45, a 12-1 UAE run to close the third period brought them to within 73-57 heading to the fourth.
But it was too little too late as Strong Group cruised to victory, using a 31-22 fourth quarter to close things out.
Meanwhile, Demarco Dickerson top scored for UAE with 29 points, while Omar Alameri added 15 markers.
Omar Khalid ALAMERI
Strong Group will return to action tomorrow, July 14, against Australia’s BSBL Guardians.