SGA-PH steamrolls Japan selection for third straight win
Strong Group Athletics-Philippines dismantled a Japanese selection with clinical precision on Tuesday to score a 107-86 victory as it geared up for a return bout with opening day tormentor Wonju DB Promy of South Korea in the William Jones Cup eliminations.
The defending champion SGA crew, souped up by crack foreigners and Filipino-American Remy Martin, won for the third straight game to gather all the momentum it needs in its clash with Wonju at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, also at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
“We are continuing to play better as a team,” coach Charles Tiu said after getting 25 points from Puerto Rican Isaiah Pineiro, who made all but four of 14 attempts from the field. “We are starting to get in shape for Promy [for Wednesday].”
“Now we have to find a way to beat them,” Tiu added.
Promy waylaid the Philippine reps four days ago, 110-79, and with the new format introduced for this year’s elimination round, SGA would need to beat the South Korean side by 32 points to gain top seeding in Group A and draw the lighter assignment in the crossover semifinals.
There were six players that finished in double digits for SGA-PH, with Titing Manalili, the standout from traditional NCAA power Colegio de San Juan de Letran, shooting nine points. He contributed heavily in the fourth period when the Japanese tried to mount a last-ditch rally.
The Japan side, made up of B.League standouts, fell behind big after being held to just 14 points in the second period and a total of 29 for the middle two quarters as SGA took an 87-60 lead into the fourth. The Japanese had closed out the first period sitting on a 31-28 cushion.
“I am thrilled that Titing stepped up and proved exactly what he can do on this stage,” Tiu said.
Hayato Wakugawa, a 6-foot-5 mainstay of the Japan national squad, led the Japanese with 26 points.
SGA is seeking to become the first team since the Iran national team to win this event three straight years. The Philippines has had several successful stints in the Jones Cup, as it took legitimate PH teams to the event to prepare for bigger international competitions.
