MANILA – Mighty Sports-Go For Gold Philippines bagged the 2019 William Jones Cup crown via a 81-71 victory over Chinese-Taipei B at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Eugene Phelps top-scored with 24 points while McKenzie Moore and Joseph Yeo added 16 and 11 points, respectively. On Sunday night the Mighty Sports completed an eight-game sweep of the tournament.
Renaldo Balkman sat out the match after suffering a broken nose during their 97-74 victory over the Chinese Taipei-A squad on Saturday evening – the win that solidified Mighty Sports’ crown.
“We missed the energy and power of Renaldo but it was a good win for the team, everybody contributed,” said Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu.
The Mighty Sports was uncharacteristically engaged in a tight match with Chinese Taipei B in the first three quarters where the Philippine side was just clinging to a 59-55 edge.
The Philippines finally got its game going in the fourth period on inside conversions from Phelps and Moore for its biggest lead of 77-67 after a drive by Fil-Am guard Jason Brickman.
It was the Philippines’ sixth William Jones Cup championship and second in the last four years.
“As they say, it’s sweeter the second time around. The boys really played well,” said Mighty Sports owner Alex Wongchuking. “We’re also happy because we gave our kababayans here real entertainment.”/PN
