PH trounces Japan, seizes Jones Cup lead

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan—Mighty Sports Apparels streaked to its fourth straight win by downing Japan, 87-66, even as South Korea shocked defending champion Iran, 67-50, in the 38th William Jones Cup last night at Xinzhuang gym here.

For the first time in four games, the Philippine representative to the annual tournament started strong, making six of seven tries—highlighted by three triples—to win convincingly.

Aside from preserving their winning streak, Mighty Sports grabbed the solo lead as a result of Korea’s victory over Iran, which slipped to second at 3-1.

Korea improved to 3-2.

Coach Bo Perasol refused to celebrate though.

“It’s good news but if we need to win all our games to win the championship, we have to do it,” said Perasol.

Since racing to a 17-3 lead, the Mighty Sports dribblers were never threatened as they even padded their lead to 50-21 at half time.

They practically controlled every facet of the game that Perasol managed to field five local players, four of them delivering four points or more.

Backed by Scratch It and Symarom, Mighty Sports battles lightweight India at 1 p.m. today in what could be the team’s easiest assignment so far.

The scores:

MIGHTY SPORTS 87—Graham 15, Spencer 14, Macklin 11, Thornton 11, Singletary 9, N’Diaye 8, Salvacion 5, Tang 4, Teng 4, Rodriguez 4, Brickman 2, Avenido 0.

JAPAN 66—Nishikawa 15, Shinoyama 14, Mitsuhara 10, Nagayoshi 8, Kumagae 6, Harimoto 5, Endo 5, Fuji 2, Nomoto 1, Togashi 0, Karino 0.

Quarters: 28-12, 50-21, 70-47, 87-66