Unbeaten Strong Group Athletics (SGA) overwhelmed Bahrain, 92-68, in a virtual title-clincher to extend its rule in the William Jones Cup to a second straight year on Saturday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder player Andre Roberson had a monster double-double performance in leading SGA to become the first-ever Philippine team to win back-to-back crowns in the prestigious tournament.
Roberson finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds in 22 minutes of action as SGA claimed the throne, even with one more game to go in the nine-nation field.
SGA will be feted as champions regardless of the result of its last match of the tournament against the United Arab Emirates today at 3 p.m.
Head coach Charles Tiu praised his squad for working hard to retain the title despite having only a few weeks to prepare.
“Feels great to win again. We prepared hard for this tournament. Our players played hard throughout — from the locals to the imports,” Tiu said after collecting his fourth Jones Cup championship.
“I tip my hat off to them. Great group of guys.”
SGA needed a big fourth-quarter surge to fend off the Bahrainis, who were playing without former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import Wayne Chism and ex-National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jakarr Sampson.
A corner triple by Javi Gomez de Liaño with 5:38 remaining in the fourth quarter capped a 14-0 run that gave SGA an 89-64 lead.
Tajuan Agee backed Roberson with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal while Gomez de Liaño scored all his 12 points from beyond the arc and grabbed seven rebounds and two steals.
Rhenz Abando added 11 points in just over 13 minutes of play while Ian Miller had nine points and eight assists.
Abdulqader Mohamed led Bahrain with 14 points and three rebounds as they finished their campaign with a 6-2 win-loss record.