Javi Gomez de Liaño played an efficient game to pace the locals of Strong Group-Philippines as they defeated the Japan Developmental Team in the 2025 William Jones Cup.
The Strong Group-Philippines continued to roll in Taipei as they improved to 2-0 in their title defense, beating the Japan Developmental Team, 79-67, at the William Jones Cup in New Taipei City on Monday evening.
After a quiet opening game, Javi Gomez de Liaño dazzled for 13 points on a highly efficient 6-of-8 shooting to pace the locals in Strong Group to the convincing win over the Japan team made up of mostly U25 players.
SGA took the reins at the end of the first quarter to put them up ahead, 21-11 despite Japan scoring the first basket of the match.
The Japanese cagers adjusted on defense and fought back inch by inch to eventually tie the match at 39-all after a basket from Kotetsu Kurokawa with nine minutes left in the third quarter.
But a sizzling 16-3 run by SGA helped them create distance anew, taking a 55-42 lead with 2:38 ticks left in the third canto thanks to a split from the charity stripe from DJ Fenner Jr.
Heading into the fourth, SGA was ahead by 10, 61-51.
In the final quarter, the Philippine team continued to cruise thanks to the offense led by Andre Roberson.
SGA-Philippines led by as much as 18, 77-59, after a Dave Ildefonso and-one as they finished the game with a flourish against the much younger Japanese squad.
Roberson had another double-double for SGA-Philippines as he finished with a team-high 15 points and 14 rebounds while Fenner added 14 markers as well.
Rhenz Abando also continued to shine for the local-based players with 11 points.
Hiyuu Ozawa paced Japan in the losing effort with 21 points.
SGA improves to 2-0 heading into their third match against Qatar on Tuesday, July 15. Meanwhile, Japan falls to 1-2.