Nadaklot na ng Philippines-Mighty Sports ang 38th William Jones Cup Championship kahapon nang maitakas ang 80-73 win kontra Iran kahit may two games pa mamaya at bukas sa Xinzhuang gym, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Binaon ni NBA at PBA veteran Al Thornton ang krusyal na 12 sa final 16 points ng PHL tampok ang back-to-back 3-point plays para patalsikin sa trono ang Iranians at parehasan ito sa lima na ring titulo rito sa likuran nang may 15 na Estados Unidos.
Umarya ng 24 points at 10 rebounds si Thornton para giyahan sa six consecutive wins ang Mighty, naging pangatlong club team din ng Pilipinas na naupo sa trono sa taunang torneo makaraan ang San Miguel Beer noong 1985 at Northern Cement nung 1981.
Nakopo rin ng Gilas Pilipinas ang titulo noong 2012 at ng Philippine Centennial Team nung 1998.
“It’s very special,” ani Thornton. “Our mentality is to come out here and have a good showing and give ourselves a chance of winning the championship.”
Makabuluhan din para kay coach Bo Perasol ang tagumpay.
“It means so much to the company that we represent the country to win the championship.
Playing for six straight games wasn’t really easy for us. It just so happened we had experienced players, talented players. We’re happy we were able to get it done,” bulalas ni Perasol.
Scores:
PHL-Mighty 80 — Thornton 24, Spencer 21, N’Diaye 14, Macklin 8, Graham 8, Brickman 3, Singletary 2, Tang 0, Avenido 0, Salvacion 0.
Iran 73 — Doraghi 20, Torabi 14, Dalirzahan 9, Aslani 8, Ojaghi 7, Yousofvand 6, Monji 6, Mozafarivanani 2, Shahrian 1.
Quarters: 20-10, 36-24, 53-52, 80-73