By NIKOLE JAVIER
Strong Group-Pilipinas overcame a feisty Chinese Taipei-Blue, 83-79, in overtime to rule the 43rd William Jones Cup on Sunday night, July 21, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
The Philippines representative reclaimed the Jones Cup trophy last lifted in 2019 by Mighty Sports of Alex and Caesar Wongchuking.
Strong Group import Tajuan Agee led the way with 21 points – nine of which on a perfect shooting from the charity stripe on top of nine rebounds.
Filipino-American DJ Fenner contributed 15 points and displayed composure from the line, making 5-of-6 freebies that kept the Philippines afloat. He also had nine rebounds.
RJ Abarrientos and former NBA player Chris McCullough added a combined 26 markers.
Abarrientos opened the extra period by knocking his fourth triple, 76-73, which eventually ended another stalemate at 78-all.
For the last time, the Philippines untangled itself from the deadlock as McCullough scored off a goaltending, 80-78, to regain the upper hand before Fenner iced the game from the line with another free throw.
Robert Hinton paced the home bet with 16 points.
The Philippines previously won the pocket tournament first in 1982 with Northern Cement followed by San Miguel in 1985, Centennial Team in 1998, with Gilas Pilipinas in 2012. Mighty Sports also reigned in 2016.
