Kiefer Ravena returns as Strong Group dominates Australia for 4-0 start
Ravena, who missed the first three games to attend to other commitments, provided the spark in the fourth quarter as the Philippine squad improved to 4-0 in their title defense bid.
Australia dropped to a 2-3 car despite getting huge lift from Filipino-Australian baller James Spencer and Mac Stodart.
Spencer, who played for the University of the Philippines in the UAAP, made crucial baskets in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer that sliced their deficit to 11, 65-76.
But Ravena spoiled Australia's comeback bid, burying two consecutive triples of his own to make it an 84-67 cushion before Javi Gomez de Liaño sealed the victory with a long bomb from the corner.
Andre Roberson was the usual suspect as he finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds together with six assists and a steal while Ian Miller and Tajuan Agee each chipped in 12 markers.
Ravena marked his return with nine points as Dave Ildefonsos chimed in with 10 markers.
Stodart and Spencer paced Australia with the forer collecting 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block while the latter scattered 11 markers, six boards, and five dimes.
Strong Group will look to bag its fifth win in a row on Thursday, when it slugs it out against home bet Chinese Taipei White at 5 p.m.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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