Mighty Sports-Go for Gold Philippines clinched the 2019 William Jones Cup championship after dealing Chinese Taipei A a 97-74 beating on Saturday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasiun in New Taipei City.
The squad still has one more assignment tomorrow, but a superior 7-0 record will still ensure them of their first title since 2016, where an import-laden Philippine team went on an eight-game sweep.
Mighty Sports couldn't completely pull away at the start as a determined home side kept it close to trail by just six, 30-24, midway through the second period. A telling 20-1 run seemed to do the trick for the Philippine contingent as they relied on Roosevelt Adams and Eugene Phelps to break the game open.
Renaldo Balkman kept Mighty Sports' foot on the gas after the break by scoring nine of his 21 points in the third period to help his team cruise the rest of the way.
Balkman topped the Philippines again in scoring by tallying 21 points and four rebounds. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to finish the game as he exited with a bloody nose with about 54.7 seconds left in the third.
Phelps added 17 points and nine boards, while Adams chipped in 13.
Mighty Sports can complete an unbeaten run in the 41st edition of the tournament by beating the hosts' team B tomorrow.
Chinese Taipei A was led by Ying-Chun Chen's 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. Outside Chi-Wei Lee's 13 markers, no other player reached double figures for them.
THE SCORES
Mighty Sports (97) - Balkman 21, Phelps 19, Adams 13, Moore 10, Williams 8, Gray 8, Yeo 6, Graham 4, Banal 3, Black 3, Brickman 2, Ndiaye 2.
Chinese Taipei A (74) - Chen 19, C. Lee 13, Florveus 8, Chou Y. 7, Hu 7, Lin C. 6, Chou P. 5, Liu 4, Kuo 3, Wen 2, Lee W. 0, Su 0.
Quarters: 24-14, 50-32, 72-49, 97-74.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Coach Charles Tiu was slapped a technical foul with about 30 seconds remaining in the first half for entering the court in resentment to a foul call.
- Zachary Moore was ejected with 3:06 left in the third quarter after getting a second technical foul. He was protesting an offensive foul called on him shortly before getting thrown out.
NEXT GAME
Mighty Sports vs. Chinese Taipei B, July 21 at 5:00 p.m.