Strong Group-Philippines still have one game left in another golden conquest of the William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Strong Group-Pilipinas shifted into high gear in the second period, then went full throttle in the fourth quarter to dismantle Bahrain, 92-68, in the 44th William Jones Cup on Saturday, July 19.
Exploiting the absence of Bahrain’s key players, Strong Group remained the only unbeaten team with an immaculate 7-0 win with still one assignment left in its schedule.
Consequently, the Philippine contingent pretty much put the stranglehold on a second straight championship in the club tournament in New Taipei, Taiwan. As such Strong Group became the first Filipino team to repeat as Jones Cup champions.
Andre Roberson spearheaded the team’s attack with 25 points spiked with 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Tajuan Agee backstopped him with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, while Javi Gomez de Liaño added 12 points built on three treys.
Rhenz Abando also fired three triples for 11 points.
Behind the former Oklahoma Thunder, Strong Group simply picked the undermanned Bahrain squad apart in the fourth period where he dropped eight points in an 11-0 blitz for an 86-64 lead.
Off a Bahrain timeout, Gomez de Liaño sank a corner triple to push their largest lead at 25, 89-64, with 5:39 left to play.
Missing the services of former Rain or Shine import Wayne Chism due to undisclosed reason, Bahrain didn’t have enough firepower to retaliate as it was held to only two field goals in the final period after a promising start.
Strong Group wraps up another impressive campaign against listless United Arab Emirates on Sunday, July 20.