Strong Group Prepares for Challenging Quest to Win Third Consecutive Jones Cup

Strong Group Athletics is facing a formidable challenge as it aims to secure a third straight championship in the William Jones Cup basketball tournament. Head coach Charles Tiu acknowledged that this year's competition will be tougher than previous editions, citing the presence of strong teams such as Korea, the Jordan national team, and UC Irvine, which features a notably tall player standing 7-foot-9.

The tournament format has also changed, with teams divided into groups of four. Strong Group finds itself in a particularly challenging group alongside the Taiwan national team, Korea, the DB Promy team, and Japan. Despite the increased difficulty, Tiu expressed confidence that his team is prepared to compete and represent the Philippines well.

The roster includes several returning players from last year's championship team, including Titing Manalili, DJ Fenner, Dave Ildefonso, and Tajuan Agee. New additions to the squad are Shaun Ildefonso, Matthew Wright, William Navarro, Isaiah Pineiro, Malick Diouf, Remy Martin, and NBA veteran Boban Marjanovic. Allen Liwag, however, will be sidelined due to injury.

Tiu praised the competitive spirit of the players during practice, noting that everyone is eager to win. He also highlighted the challenge of balancing playing time among the roster but emphasized that many players understand their roles, which should benefit the team’s cohesion.

The tournament schedule is demanding, with eight games to be played over ten days. Tiu believes the players will have sufficient opportunities to showcase their skills despite the tight timeline.

The 2026 Jones Cup is set to run from August 14 to 23, coinciding with a break in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) schedule for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. This timing allows Tiu to focus on the tournament without conflicting with his responsibilities as head coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, although he remains committed to leading his PBA team to victories.

Before departing for Taiwan on August 14, Phoenix is scheduled to play two more games against Rain or Shine and Magnolia. Tiu expressed gratitude to the PBA board, particularly Raymond Zorrilla, for accommodating the schedule to enable his participation in the Jones Cup without issues.

Strong Group’s pursuit of a historic three-peat in the William Jones Cup will test the team’s resilience and adaptability against a strong field of international competitors. The team’s blend of experienced veterans and new talent aims to uphold the Philippines’ basketball reputation on the international stage.