Latest news with #StrongGroupAthletics
GMA Network
20-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group completes Jones Cup title sweep with blowout win vs. UAE
Strong Group Athletics (SGA)-Philippines didn't just win back-to-back titles as it also completed a tournament sweep, thrashing UAE with an 87-62 victory to conclude its 2025 Jones Cup run on Sunday in Taiwan. SGA, which had already clinched the championship on Saturday after dominating Bahrain with a 92-68 romp, capped off its stint unscathed with an 8-0 win-loss card. UAE, on the other hand, closed out its campaign winless at 0-8. Tajuan Agee gave the Philippine representative a huge lift after erupting for 20 points laced with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal while Kiefer Ravena took over in the fourth and finished with a near double-double of 13 markers and nine dimes. Other reinforcements in Ian Miller and DJ Fenner each chipped in 12 points as Dave Ildefonso chimed in with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Up by just a solitary point at the break, Strong Group shifted into high gear in the second half as Fenner and Jason Brickman led their third quarter surge with the former knocking down a triple for a 62-48 lead. UAE tried to make some runs before heading to the fourth after Khalifa Khalil Ibrahim Salem completed a four-point play with two seconds left in the third as they cut the deficit to 10, 62-52. But Ravena seized control in the payoff period, sinking a three-pointer before issuing back-to-back dimes that led to a pair of baskets for Ildefonso as they raced to a 76-56 cushion. Ravena, who missed the first three games due to previous commitment, buried a mid-range jumper and layup that sent Strong Group to a comfortable 80-57 advantage with still 4:09 to play. SGA never took its foot off the pedal as they became the first Philippine team to ever win two titles in a row. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group survives Malaysia to remain perfect in Jones Cup
The Strong Group Athletics survived Malaysia, 106-98, to remain perfect in six games in the Jones Cup in Taiwan on Friday. After taking a 87-64 lead by the end of the third, Malaysia made a 20-10 run to cut its deficit with five minutes to play in the fourth period. The Philippine representative, however, held off the Malaysians to claim the victory. 'It was not the best game for us defensively, but we got the job done,' said head coach Charles Tiu. 'We were also able to rest Dre [Roberson] and Tajuan [Agee], which is crucial. Now all focus for us is our game tomorrow against Bahrain — our championship game.' The game against Bahrain will serve as a championship game as it also holds a 6-0 record like Strong Group. The team with the best record by the end of the tournament will be hailed as champions. DJ Fenner led the Strong Group with 20 points, eight boards, and four assists, while Ange Kouame and Geo Chiu registered double-double performances with the former having 11 points and 10 boards, while the latter had 12 points and 10 rebounds, as well. NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, meanwhile, had 16 points and Kiefer Ravena had 17 points. The Strong Group will play Bahrain on Saturday at 3 p.m. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group dominates Chinese Taipei White to go 5-0 in Jones Cup
Strong Group Athletics dominated Chinese Taipei White (ROC-B), 107-75, to notch its fifth straight win in the 2025 Jones Cup on Thursday in Taiwan. After leading 25-17 in the first period, SGA erupted for 36 points in the second period and limited Chinese Taipei B to 16 points to claim a 61-33 lead by halftime. This was enough for the Philippine team to hold off Chinese Taipei White (ROC-B) and remain undefeated in the tournament. Tajuan Agee had 25 points to lead SGA as he made 10 out of 12 field goal attempts, while Ian Miller and Javi Gomez de Liaño had 13 and 12 points, respectively. 'Played great today. Guys were locked in from the start,' said head coach Charles Tiu after the game. 'Tajuan Agee was great and dominated them from the start. Best offensive basketball for us.' The Philippines will play Malaysia next on Friday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Daily Tribune
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
William Jones Cup kicks off
TDT | Manama The 44th William Jones Cup begins tomorrow in Chinese Taipei, running until July 20. Bahrain's senior men's basketball team is set to compete against nine top Asian teams. Bahrain will face tough competition including Japan, Australia, Malaysia, the UAE, and hosts Chinese Taipei. Also in the mix are Chinese Taipei's development squad, Qatar's B team, and defending champions Strong Group Athletics from the Philippines. From Paint to Presidency For Bahrain Basketball Association President Alaa Mudara, the William Jones Cup is a vital step in a long-term plan. 'This competition offers a different intensity from what we face in the Gulf, and that challenge is exactly what we need to prepare for the Arab Cup in Tunisia.' Mudara brings personal history to the moment, having represented Bahrain in the 1978 William Jones Cup as a player. 'That year, we were named best team of the tournament,' he recalled. 'Now, returning as president, I see the same hunger in this generation.' The Squad Greek coach Georgios Vovoras has named a near fullstrength roster. Key players include guards Mustafa Hussain and Ahmed Salman, forwards Mohammed Ameer, Subah Hussain, Mohammed Buallay, Ali Jaber, and naturalised stars Wayne Chism and JaKarr Sampson. The squad is completed by Mahmood Abbas, Ali Hussain, Ahmed bin Deina, and Abdulqader Thani. The William Jones Cup is a prestigious Asian tournament organised by the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association. Many teams use it as a warmup for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah next month. Tough Road Ahead Bahrain opens tomorrow against continental powerhouse Japan, followed by games against Chinese Taipei's development team, Malaysia, Australia, the UAE, Qatar's B team, Chinese Taipei's national team, and Strong Group Athletics. The team has prepared with local training sessions and won two recent friendlies against the UAE at Khalifa Sports City Arena.
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando lead Strong Group Athletics in Jones Cup title defense
Mainstays Kiefer Ravena and Rhenz Abando will spearhead the Strong Group Athletics when they defend the title in the 2025 William Jones Cup that fires off next month. Ravena and Abando will be returning for another tour of duty for the Philippine representatives alongside Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso, Ange Kouame, Geo Chiu, and reigning NCAA MVP Allen Liwag. Reinforcing the squad are 6-foot-6 guard DJ Fenner, 6-foot-9 big man Tajuan Agee, and NBA veteran Andre Roberson with longtime coach Charles Tiu still calling the shots. 'Yeah, I'm excited to bring back some guys from our championship squad. This might be the first time we're able to run it back with this many returning players,' said Tiu. SGA, however, will open its campaign without Ravena, who is expected to miss the first two games against Chinese-Taipei Blue on July 13 and the Japan Under-25 Akatsuki Five squad on July 14 due to prior commitments. Despite that, SGA is focused on defending the crown they won last year by defeating Chinese Taipei A in a classic overtime showdown that saw the Filipinos eking out an 83-79 victory. 'The big challenge is that we'll be facing Taipei A in our very first game, and we haven't played any tune-up games yet. We'll have to see how quickly the team can gel. Kiefer will also miss a couple of games, but we're definitely looking to defend our crown,' added Tiu. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
