Strong Group-Pilipinas overcame a feisty Chinese Taipei-Blue in overtime, 83-79, to capture the 43rd William Jones Cup title on Sunday night, July 21, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan. 

It was the first title for the PH dribblers since last winning it in 2019 under the same mentor Charles Tiu.

Strong Group import Tajuan Agee led the way with 21 points including nine-of-nine from the charity stripe while also hauling nine rebounds.  

Filipino-American DJ Fenner also contributed with 15 points and displayed composure from the line where he shot a last-minute 5-of-6 freebies that kept the Nationals afloat. He also collared nine rebounds. 

RJ Abarrientos and former NBA player Chris McCullough also spelled the difference with combined 26 points.

Strong Group squandered a 41-34 halftime edge by trailing 61-67 in the fourth quarter.

Kiefer Ravena stepped up in the crunch and led a 12-4 run highlighted by a corner triple with 13.2 seconds in the regulation.

Just when the visiting team thought it was all done and secured, Gil Baker nailed a layup on the other end to end the regulation at 73-all. 

Abarrientos opened the extra period by knocking his fourth triple, 76-73, which eventually ended up in another stalemate at 78-all. 

For the last time, the PH club team untangled itself from the deadlock as McCullough scored off a goaltending, 80-78, to regain the upper hand before Fenner iced the game from the line with another free throw. 

Robert Hinton paced the home bet with 16 points. 

The Philippines previously won the pocket tournament first in 1982 with Northern Cement followed by San Miguel in 1985, Centennial Team in 1998, with Gilas Pilipinas capturing it in 2012. Mighty Sports went back-to-back in 2016 and 2019.