By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Strong Group Athletics just bolstered its official lineup for the upcoming 43rd William Jones Cup basketball tournament after tapping one of the brightest young stars in the country, Rhenz Abando.
After parting ways with his Korean Basketball League (KBL) mother franchise Anyang KGC last May 23, 2024, Abando is currently looking for his new home but will have to render his services first with the PHL-based sports organization.
It was Strong Group that officially announced Abando’s arrival in a social media post updated on their various platforms.
“Abando is coming back home. Strong Group-Pilipinas proudly announces the signing of Rhenz Abando for the 43rd William Jones Cup,” posted Strong Group.
Before accepting the offer to represent the Philippines, Abando spent his last two years in Korea where he would become the highest-paid Filipino import.
In his two years with Anyang, Abando showcased what he could do as an Asian import and quickly became a fan favorite with his high-flying highlight reels and clutch performances.
Last year, Abando was hailed as the KBL All-Star Slam Dunk King and made a mark as the first Filipino import to win the title.
Despite an inconsistent season campaign with his team after getting derailed by various injuries, Abando was still able to average 8.48 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists during his debut season.
Abando will be reuniting with his former Gilas Pilipinas teammates in Strong Group as Kiefer Ravena, Jordan Heading, Ange Kouame, and RJ Abarrientos also signed to play in the William Jones Cup.
The high-flying swingman will be playing under the mentorship of head coach Charles Tiu, Strong Group’s staple tactician, alongside Rajko Toroman, the organization’s consultant.
