Derrick Fenner soars for the dunk. SGA/Jones Cup

MANILA–Strong Group Athletics still showed might even without key players Ange Kouame, Rhenz Abando, and Tajuan Agee as they tore down Japan’s under-22 team, 92-79, in their Jones Cup match on Friday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei.

Strong Group pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring Japan, 32-18, for a 54-36 halftime edge and kept the lead in double digits in the second half despite slowing down a bit offensively.

Chris McCullough once again led Strong Group, now 6-0 in the tournament, with 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and three steals.

Derrick Fenner added 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block, while Geo Chiu, activated for the game in Kouame and Agee’s absence, went 2-for-2 on field goals and 4-for-4 on free throws for eight points in a starting role with seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Strong Group will now brace for the two Taiwanese teams this weekend, Chinese Taipei White on Saturday and Chinese Taipei Blue in what could virtually be the championship game on Sunday night.

Hiyuu Ozawa exploded for five three-pointers in just nine and a half minutes to lead Japan with 17 points alongside one rebound.

Box Scores:

Strong Group 92-McCullough 26, Fenner 17, Heading 11, Ravena 9, Chiu 8, Abarrientos 5, Tiongson 4, Ynot 4, Liwag 4, Ildefonso 2, Manalili 2

Japan 79-Ozawa 17, Harper 10, Saeki 10, Arai 10, Kibayashi 9, Sakai 6, Hasegawa 5, Kurokawa 3, Buto 3, Watanabe 2, Asai 2, Arai 2

Quarterscores: 22-18, 54-36, 70-55, 92-79