Strong Group moves one win away from Jones Cup crown

Chris McCullough Strong Group Jones Cup

Strong Group’s Chris McCullough goes for a layup against Chinese Taipei-B in the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taiwan.–SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Strong Group Athletics showed its dominance anew after dispatching Chinese Taipei-B, 96-70 for its seventh straight victory in the 43rd William Jones Cup on Saturday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan.

The victory arranged a fitting title finale between Strong Group and Chinese Taipei-A on Sunday night. Chinese Taipei-A also remained undefeated at 7-0 after trouncing the BSBL Guardians.

Former San Miguel Beer import Chris McCullough continued his torrid play with 25 points and seven rebounds to lead SGA.

READ: Jones Cup: Strong Group moves to 6-0 after blowing past Japan U22

SGA took an early double-digit lead that ballooned to 34, 69-35, in the third quarter and never let up.

Guards Kiefer Ravena and RJ Abarrientos, who was recently selected third overall by Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Draft, also stepped up for Strong Group.

Ravena scored 14 points off the bench while Abarrientos tallied 13.

Zhang Jiahe’s 16-point performance was put to naught for Chinese Taipei-B.

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