Mighty upends Taiwan in Jones Cup opener

TAIPEI – Mighty Sports Apparels withstood Chinese Taipei’s efficient game spiked by a wondrous outside shooting, pulling off an 89-81 win to start its campaign in the 38th Jones Cup international basketball tournament at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium here last night.

Mighty Sports’ imports used sheer talent to make up for a mere five-day preparation, picking up some rhythm late in the second period and holding on to frustrate the Taiwanese and the lustily cheering home crowd.

Korean league veteran Dewarick Antwain Spencer sizzled with five three-pointers and a game-high 27 points and Troy Gillenwater, another KBL mainstay, came through with 19 points and six rebounds as they stopped the Taiwanese, 24 hours after their 76-55 triumph over the Japanese.

Former PBA imports Hamady N’Diaye, Al Thornton, Michael Singletary, Vernon Macklin and Zach Graham and Fil-Am guard Jason Brickman helped out as Mighty Sports got off to a winning start, with a shot at a second straight win versus Korea at 5 p.m. today.

Through Day Two of the nine-day one-round-robin meet, the Philippines and Iran shared the lead, followed by the two Chinese Taipei teams, Korea, Japan, Egypt and Cal State-Sacramento all at 1-1. 

“We got surprise in the first quarter when they zoned us. We’ve got talented players but we practiced playing against the zone just couples of days ago. But as the game progressed, good players that they are, they’re able to adjust,” said Mighty Sports coach Bo Perasol.