Facing their toughest game so far in the 43rd William Jones Cup, Strong Group leaned on Chris McCullough and Kiefer Ravena in the clutch.
The Philippine-based club team edged out Ukraine with an 82-74 victory to remain unbeaten in three games on Monday evening at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei, Taiwan.
The PBA champion import poured in 28 points, including key baskets in the clutch, while Yokohama’s new guard provided the heady plays, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds.
Unlike their past two games against UAE and BSBL, which they won comfortably, Strong Group needed to fight back in this one.
Down 64-72 midway through the final frame, Ravena fired back-to-back triples to cut into the lead.
McCullough then took matters into his own hands, scoring eight straight points to stun Ukraine.
Jordan Heading also fired 24 points in the contest, built on four triples.
Strong Group will have a much-needed break on Tuesday before facing Malaysia’s Harimau.
Ukraine, which dropped to 0-2, had four players score in double figures, led by Anatoliy Shundel’s 17 points.
The Scores:
Strong Group 82 – McCullough 28, Heading 24, Ravena 10, Kouame 9, Agee 7, Fenner 2, Abando 2, Tiongson 1, Abarrientos 1, Ildefonso 0, Chiu 0.
Ukraine 74 – Shundel 17, Novitskyi 12, Antypov 11, Krutous 10, Kobzystyi 10, Koniev 8, Kozak 3, Serheiev 3, Koshevatskyi 0, Lesyk 0.
Quarterscores: 27-21, 43-41, 54-58, 82-74.
