PH-Strong Group dumps Malaysia, improves to 4-0 in Jones Cup

Strong Group Athletics in its 2024 Jones Cup game against Malaysia. –SGA ATHLETICS

MANILA, Philippines—Strong Group Athletics hiked its winning streak to four following its romping of Malaysia, 89-54, in the 43rd William Jones Cup 2024 at Xinzhuang Gymnasium on Wednesday.

This was after the Philippine side had to squeak past Ukraine, 82-74, on Monday.

After figuring in three neck-and-neck quarters, SGA found itself holding on to a 59-48 advantage over the Malaysians before going on a rampage in the fourth quarter.

SCHEDULE: Strong Group Athletics at Jones Cup 2024

RJ Abarrientos sank a long bomb in the 9:33 mark of the fourth quarter to spark a 16-2 run to give SGA an insurmountable 75-50 lead over Malaysia.

Most of the buckets in that game-sealing run came from three, as SGA shot lights out from deep, sinking 11 as a team.

Coach Charles Tiu’s wards also reigned supreme in the rebounding department with 46 huge rebounds as a squad.

READ: Strong Group makes it 3-0 in Jones Cup

Abarrientos commanded the offense with nine points and game-high 12 assists. Rhenz Abando, meanwhile, notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Ange Kouame also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Chris McCullough helped big time with 16 points.

John Murry II’s 25-point outburst was put to waste for Malaysia as Ateneo foreign student athlete Joseph Obasa dropped 13 points and six rebounds but to no avail.

Up next for SGA is Team USA on Thursday, 1 pm, in the same venue.