Rhenz Abando provided a strong boost in the latest Strong Group-Pilipinas win in the Jones Cup.
Four games up, four games down.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Rhenz Abando and Strong Group-Pilipinas proved to be too much to handle for Malaysia, scoring an 89-54 decision to chalk up their fourth-straight win in the 43rd William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan on Wednesday, July 17.
Chris McCullough led the Charles Tiu-mentored squad in scoring for the fourth-straight game, tallying 16 points. However, it was Abando who stole the show this time around, dropping a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in just 15 minutes.
A strong 13-1 run to close out the third period saw Strong Group-Pilipinas regain a double digit lead at 59-48 after Malaysia erased an early 11-point deficit.
Team Philippines broke the game wide open even more in the final frame, outscoring Malaysia 30-6 and never looking back to post their third double-digit win in the first four games.
As of the moment, Strong Group-Pilipinas are now tied atop of the team standings with Chinese Taipei-Blue behind their identical 4-0 win-loss slates.
RJ Abarrientos continued his stellar play with a near double-double of nine points and 12 assists, while DJ Fenner and Tajuan Agee combined for 20 markers
Meanwhile, John Wesley Murry paced Malaysia with a game-high 25 points, while former Ateneo Blue Eagles big man Joseph Obasa added 13 points.
The victory was Strong Group-Pilipinas’ fourth straight win, with the first three victories coming against UAE, Australia’s BSBL Guardians, and Ukraine.
[ALSO READ: Chris McCullough proves to be clutch as Strong Group-Pilipinas survive Ukraine in Jones Cup]
Strong Group returns to action tomorrow, July 18, against Future Sports at 1 p.m.