Strong Group pulls away from Japan for first win in 2026 Jones Cup

Strong Group-Pilipinas broke away late against Japan to eke out a 78-72 win in its three-peat bid at the 2026 William Jones Cup on Saturday in New Taipei City.

The Philippine representative unloaded a 18-6 closing run to turn things around and escape the Japanese, improving to 1-1 in Group A following a 110-79 loss to Korea on Friday while Japan fell to 0-2.

A Boban Marjanovic basket sent Strong Group to a 51-48 lead late in the third period, but Japan answered with a 12-4 rampage to end the period holding a 60-55 advantage.

21-year-old Hiyuu Ozawa then stretched that to a 66-60 lead for Japan after sinking a pair of free throws and knocking down a jumper early in the fourth.

However, Strong Group refused to back down with Isaiah Piñeiro, Tajuan Agee, Matthew Wright, and Ian Miller leading the 18-6 run that allowed the club to finally barge into the win column in its three-peat bid.

Piñeiro started the comeback with a jumper then scored on a putback before Miller and Wright hit back-to-back layups that made it a 72-69 lead for SGA. Miller then buried four straight freebies before Piñeiro hit two of his own to complete the victory.

SGA will look to capture its second straight win when it faces Chinese Taipei Blue on Sunday.

—JKC, GMA News