Chris McCullough got the last laugh against DeMarco Dickerson in their clash. SGA/Jones Cup

 

 

MANILA–Strong Group Athletics whipped the United Arab Emirates to open their Jones Cup campaign through a 104-79 win on Saturday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei.

Strong Group wasted no time in dominating UAE, dropping 32 points in the first quarter and quickly opening a double-digit lead.

The Filipino side never looked back from there.

Former San Miguel import Chris McCullough led Strong Group with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists, one block, and four steals.

Caelan Tiongson added 13 points, one rebound, one assist, four steals, and a block, while RJ Abarrientos flirted with his own double-double with 10 assists and nine points alongside two rebounds and one steal.

DeMarco Dickerson put up 29 points on 10-for-20 field goals including 5-of-7 from three-point range, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals for UAE, but he too committed eight turnovers.

Box Scores:

Strong Group 104-McCullough 15, Tiongson 13, Agee 12, Ravena 11, Abarrientos 9, Heading 9, Kouame 9, Fenner 8, Ildefonso 6, Liwag 6, Chiu 4, Ynot 2

UAE 79-Dickerson 29, Al-Ameri 15, H. Al-Breiki 12, A. Al-Breiki 8, Hussein 5, Al-Zaabi 4, Ahmad 3, Al-Maazmi 1, Bin Khatam 0

Quarterscores: 32-18, 50-32, 73-57, 104-79