Strong Group-Pilipinas cruises past UAE in Jones Cup opener

Strong Group-Pilipinas showcased their dominance with a commanding victory over United Arab Emirates, securing a 104-79 win in the opening game of the 43rd William Jones Cup held on Saturday, July 13, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

After a disappointing performance last year, the team from the Philippines made a strong statement by maintaining control throughout the game until the final buzzer.

In less than a day, Strong Group is gearing up for their next challenge against Australia’s BSBL Guardians in their upcoming matchup.

Key players Chris McCullough, an American import, and PBA rookie prospect Caelan Tiongson stood out by collectively contributing 28 points to lead Strong Group to victory. McCullough showcased his versatility by recording a double-double with 15 points on an impressive 7-of-11 shooting performance along with 10 rebounds and five assists.

On the other hand, Tiongson, who will be absent from the PBA Rookie Draft on July 14 due to his participation in the tournament, showcased his efficiency by scoring 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from inside the paint.

Despite nursing a foot injury, RJ Abarrientos proved his worth by tallying nine points, including three three-pointers, and dishing out 10 assists for the team.

Contributions from Tajuan Agee and team captain Kiefer Ravena, who added 12 and 11 points respectively, further solidified Strong Group’s well-rounded performance.

For the UAE side, Demarco Dickerson led all scorers with 29 points, 15 of which came from his impressive 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.