Defending champion Strong Group overcame a rough start and roared back with a dominant third-quarter blitz to turn back Chinese Taipei Blue, 67-56, and open their title defense in the 43rd William Jones Cup on a high note Sunday night at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.
Held to just one field goal in the opening quarter, Strong Group, backed by Bet88 and UAAGI, slowly clawed back. The team then erupted for a 26-2 third-quarter run — led by Andre Roberson and Rhenz Abando — that flipped a 28-35 first-half deficit into a commanding 54-37 lead entering the fourth.
Roberson anchored a blistering 21-0 run to open the third quarter, punctuated by a powerful and-one finish under the basket that gave Strong Group its first lead of the game, 37-35, at the 5:19 mark.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder guard then scored back-to-back baskets, followed by consecutive breakaway slams from Abando. Lin Tinqian finally put Chinese Taipei on the board with a split from the line, 49-36, with less than two minutes left in the third period.
Abando then linked up with DJ Fenner and Dave Ildefonso to cap a statement stretch, where the Taiwanese failed to convert a single field goal and was held scoreless for eight minutes and 44 seconds, for SGA heading into the final quarter.
“With all the veterans on this team, I’m glad the guys didn’t panic,” said head coach Charles Tiu. “We started slow, sure, but they weathered the storm and got the job done. That’s what veterans do. But there’s absolutely no room for complacency.”
With Strong Group’s starters already resting on the bench, Chinese Taipei managed to cut the deficit to eight. But Abando then buried a dagger three with 45.6 seconds remaining to push the lead back to 11, 67-56.
Andre Roberson powered Strong Group with a massive double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds — including nine offensive boards — along with five steals. He stepped up in the absence of veteran guard Kiefer Ravena, who is in Athens, Greece, for Jordan Brand’s Board of Greatness event.
Ian Miller, despite a rough night shooting from the field, managed 16 points on a 5-of-17 clip to go along with three assists and two rebounds. Meanwhile, Abando scattered 11 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
“Roberson’s energy really inspired everyone, especially in that third quarter,” Tiu added. “Everyone was running, making stops, rotating — it was the perfect quarter for us. That kind of intensity is what we need every single game.”
Strong Group struggled to find their rhythm in the opener, coming out sluggish and managing just one field goal on a dismal 1-of-14 clip. The slow start allowed Chinese Taipei to take control early, 7-19, heading into the second frame.
Miller, who shot 1-of-6 in the opening period, found his groove in the second frame, scoring seven points to lead SGA’s collective push that trimmed the deficit to seven, 28-35, at the half.
Strong Group aims to make it two wins in a row when they face off against Japan tomorrow, 5:00 PM, at the same venue.
On the other hand, Chen Yingjun was the lone double-digit scorer for the home squad with 14 points to go along with five rebounds.
