Mighty Sports annihilates Japan, remains unbeaten in Jones Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Mighty Sports-Go for Gold Philippines stayed on the warpath in the 41st William Jones Cup, blowing out Japan, 94-59, at the Changhua County Gym in Taiwan on Sunday, July 14. 

Birthday boy Renaldo Balkman schooled the Japanese Dev Team with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks while the hulking Eugene Phelps bullied his way to 19 markers, 7 boards and 2 steals.

Fil-Am guard Mikey Williams led the local side with 17 points, 3 boards and 3 steals with a 3-of-5 shooting from three to help Mighty cruise to its third straight triumph.

Steady veteran Jason Brickman also chipped in 8 markers, 6 boards and 3 assists in the easy win.

Japan gave Mighty a good fight early in the 1st quarter with a 12-5 lead, but the Charles Tiu-coached squad responded with a 13-1 run and never looked back from there. 

Japan got as close as 5 in the 2nd quarter but Brickman spearheaded a 9-0 run that eventually ballooned to a 38-26 Mighty lead at the half.

It was all Mighty Sports after the intermission as Balkman put on a show with nimble sidestep layups and bruising putbacks. After another 13-5 run punctuated with a Williams triple, 60-37, Mighty had established full control heading to the final frame.

As if to drive home a final blow to the Japanese squad, Balkman established the largest lead of the game in the waning seconds of the 4th, 94-59, with an emphatic two-handed slam.

Koh Flippin and Haruta Ogawa led Japan in the sorry loss with 10 points apiece.

Mighty will next face the University of British Columbia representing Canada on Monday, July 15, at 3 pm. 

The Scores 

Mighty Sports 94 – Balkman 27, Phelps 19, Williams 17, Brickman 8, Moore 8, Adams 6, Black 4, Graham 3, N’Diaye 2, Gray 0, Banal 0. 

Japan-B 59 – Koh 10, Ogawa 10, Ando Sh. 8, Schafer 8, Hashimoto 8, Hoshino 6, Ando Se. 4, Williams 4, Toews 1, Hiraiwa 0, Nakamura 0, Harimoto 0.

Quarters: 22-17, 38-26, 69-49, 94-59. 

– Rappler.com