McCullough stars anew as Strong Group downs Al Nasr; Valientes fall to Al Sharjah in Dubai debut

After sizzling for 28 points in their opening-day win, McCullough went off for 31 points as Strong Group defeated Al Nasr for a 2-0 start in the tournament, 99-87, at the Al Nasr Club on Saturday, January 25 (Sunday, January 26, Manila time).

The high-scoring import McCullough — who won the Jones Cup MVP award during his previous stint with Strong Group in 2024 — shot a very efficient 12-of-16 clip from the field en route to his 31-point explosion, while also flirting with a double-double with 9 rebounds.

Similar to their 99-91 victory over the UAE national team on Saturday, McCullough did most of his damage late as he scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half. 

With Strong Group almost losing the 27-point lead it built in the third quarter after Al Nasr got back within just 5 points early in the fourth, 72-77, McCullough came to the rescue and went on a personal 11-0 run to restore the Filipinos’ double-digit cushion, 88-72, with 4:23 to play.

Coming off a scoreless performance in their opener, former TNT Tropang Giga star Mikey Williams helped McCullough carry Strong Group’s scoring load with 16 points on a healthy 5-of-8 shooting, firing 11 markers in just the opening period.

Dave Ildefonso also came to play for the Philippine side with 13 points on a similar 5-of-8 clip from the field as Strong Group’s ex-NBA star DeMarcus Cousins was held to only 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Harat Mohammed carried the fight for Al Nasr in the loss with 34 points, while Marvelle Harris poured in 30. 

Zamboanga wastes strong start

Unlike Strong Group, the Zamboanga Valientes opened their campaign on the wrong foot as they bowed to Al Sharjah, 97-82.

Five players scored in twin digits for Zamboanga in the loss, with 7-foot-5 import Sam Deguara pacing the team with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Mike Tolomia added 14 points, Forthsky Padrigao and Adonis Thomas chipped in 13 apiece, while Prince Caperal contributed 11 for the Valientes, who failed to capitalize on their fiery start where they led by as many as 15 points, 30-15, in the first quarter. 

Nicholas West led Al Sharjah with 30 points and 9 rebounds, while former NLEX Road Warriors import DeQuan Jones produced 29 markers. 

The Scores

Strong Group Athletics 99 – McCullough 31, Williams 16, Ildefonso 13, Brickman 9, Cousins 8, Richardson 8, Abando 7, Liwag 4, Kouame 2, Koon 1, Blatche 0, Ynot 0.

Al Nasr 87 – Mohammed 34, Harris 30, Ahmed 13, Khalfa 4, Ba 4, Alblooshi 2, Petty 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 50-38, 73-61, 99-87. 

Al Sharjah 97 – West 30, Jones 29, Asad 15, Gueye 11, Roberson 6, Thani 3, Alblooshi 3, Alhammadi 0, Ahmad 0, Al Midfa 0. 

Zamboanga 82 – Deguara 16, Tolomia 14, Padrigao 13, Thomas 13, Caperal 11, Jimenez 7, Cadiz 4, Cabañero 3, Diouf 1, Lingganay 0, McCarthy 0.

Quarters: 19-30, 49-47, 70-62, 97-82. 

– Rappler.com