Chris McCullough exploded just in time to help Strong Group pull away from Ukraine. SGA/Jones Cup

MANILA–Strong Group Athletics passed its first acid test in the Jones Cup after rallying back to beat Ukraine, 82-74, on Monday night at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei.

Chris McCullough highlighted Strong Group’s final hurrah by scoring eight straight points that gave them the lead for good.

Following up on a Kiefer Ravena triple, the former San Miguel import completed a three-point play, hit an open triple, and made two more free throws to give Strong Group a 78-72 lead with 52.2 seconds left.

Volodymyr Koniev kept Ukraine in the game after scoring on a quick layup that cut the lead to four with 45.7 seconds remaining.

However, charities from Ravena and Jordan Heading iced the game eventually for Strong Group.

McCullough finished with 28 points, canning 15 free throws in total, six rebounds, two assists, and one block for Strong Group, which moved to 3-0 in the standings.

Heading added 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, 16 in the first quarter, two rebounds, and three assists.

Strong Group finished the game on a 15-2 run within the final 2:35.

The Filipino side will take Tuesday off before returning to action on Wednesday night against Malaysia.

Anatoliy Shundel put up 17 points, two rebounds, and four assists for Ukraine, which dropped to 0-2.

Strong Group 82-McCullough 28, Heading 24, Ravena 10, Kouame 9, Agee 7, Fenner 2, Tiongson 1, Abarrientos 1, Ildefonso 0, Chiu 0, Abando 0

Ukraine 74-Shundel 17, Novitskyi 12, Antypov 11, Kobzystyi 10, Krutous 10, Koniev 8, Kozak 3, Serheiev 3, Koshevatskyi 0, Lesyk 0

Quarterscores: 27-21, 43-41, 54-58, 82-74