Chris McCullough turned in another team-high performance to steer Strong Group-Pilipinas past Australia’s BSBL Guardian in convincing style, 91-69, for its second win in the 43rd William Jones Cup on Sunday, July 14, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan. 

The former NBA player and San Miguel import dropped 23 points and seven rebounds to follow up on his team-high 15 points in the opening day of the Philippines’ 104-79 romp of the United Arab Emirates.

McCullough came out all locked in and loaded after scoring 10 of his 23 points in the first quarter to match the Australian side’s overall output in the opening as Strong Group emerged with a strong start, 34-10. 

It was all the Philippines during the duration of the whole affair, with Ange Kouame adding a double-double showing of 16 points that went with 10 rebounds, while Tajuan Agee had 14 markers. 

The Charles Tiu-coached Strong Group is looking to stay unbeaten when it faces Ukraine for its third assignment on Monday, July 15, at 5 p.m. 

Successful PBA draftees RJ Abarrientos, Dave Ildefonso and Caelan Tiongson missed the Rookie Draft which coincided with their campaign in Jones Cup. 

Abarrientos and Ildefonso had seven and six points, respectively, and were selected as the third and fifth overall picks by Ginebra and NorthPort back in Manila. 

Tiongson, meanwhile, was chosen by Rain or Shine as the seventh pick. 

On the other end, Jesse Ghee topscored for the BSBL Guardians with 19 points as they fell to a 0-2 record in the early goings of the tournament.