Game 1:New Zealand NT 97-30 Soweto Panthers
It's like Goliath vs. David, Men vs. Boys. New Zealand took advantage of its height and humiliate the undersized Soweto Panthers 97-30 in their Jones Cup debut. All New Zealand players scored at least 4 points, with 19-year-old guard Kirk Penney's 16 leading the way.
Seven-foot centers Tony Rampton and Robert Hickey led New Zealand to a huge rebounding dominance, 54-21, and created numerous fast break oppurtunities for their teammtes. New Zealand took a quick 47-18 halftime lead and put the game out of reach.
Soweto Panthers' performance at both ends of the floor showed why it's only a club team. Sipho Mabeka, who scored 10 points, was the only player reaching double figure.
Game 2:Philippines 91-74 Bahrain
Philippines finally played its best twenty minutes of basketball in the Jones Cup and completed a come-from-behind victory vs Bahrain NT, 91-74. Philippines is now 1-1.
Philippines, which trailed 37-38 in the half, outscored Bahrain NT 54-36 in the second half. Vincente Hizon tallied 18p, 5rb and 3 assists. Ronald Magtulis again turned in a solid performance with 13 points. Alejandro Lim Jr. contributed 12 points. Ageless Elpidio Villanmin
provided 8 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Philippines surprisingly faced a deciplined halfcourt offense from Bahrain NT. Bahrain's Nooh Akber, who scored game-high 20 points, repeatedly hurt the Filipinos from the wing. Strong Ahmed Malalla mixed it up in the paint, on the other hand. Malalla finished with 13 and 6.
With assistman Dale Singson directing the way, Philippines finally controlled the tempo with a 15-7 spurt in the first four minutes in the second half and led by double figures. Bahrain's fatigue made things worse for them afterward. They were never able to threaten Philippines from that point on.
Game 3:Taiwan National 65-61 Costa Rica
Favorite Taiwan NT survived another scare in two days, edging Costa Rica 65-61 and became the first team to win two straight games in the Jones Cup. Lo Shing-Liang led Taiwan NT with 19 points, including three back-breaking three-pointers in the second half.
Taiwan NT clinged to 32-29 halftime lead by making 17 of 26 foul shots in the first twenty minutes, although they couldn't find the basket. Costa Rica fought back to lead 47-44 with 10 minutes remaining with their frontlines' relentless offensive rebounding. Orlando Daily and Andres Leandro(205cm) time and time again helped Costa Rica with their second shot opportunities.
"Wonder Boy" Lo Shing-Liang knocked down two tying three-pointers less in three minutes, then swished another one while fouled by Costa Rica defender. He completed the four-point play with 4 minutes remaining to boost the lead to five points and make Taiwan NT have an easier breathing room.
Cheng Chih-Lung scored 17. Huang Chun-Hsiung scored 10, including two vicious dunks that excited the crowd. Chu Chih-Chinturned in 7p and 7rb.
Jones Cup Standing
Group A
Taiwan NT 2-0
Costa Rica NT 1-1
Philippines 1-1
Bahrain NT 0-2
Group B
South Korea NT 1-0
New Zealand NT 1-0
Taiwan Second 0-1
Soweto Panthers 0-1