By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Sporting organization Strong Group Athletics will be back in action after getting the call-up to banner team Philippines in the upcoming 43rd William Jones Cup confirmed on May 14, 2024.
It was the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) spearheaded by its executive director Erika Dy who announced the major development.
“Strong Group Athletics has been contributing to Philippine sports by supporting athletes and national sports associations (NSAs) such as the SBP. Mr. Frank Lao, his son Jacob, and Strong Group have shared their desire to bring back the Jones Cup championship trophy to the country and bring joy to Filipinos overseas,” said Dy.
Strong Group recently performed well during the Dubai International Basketball Championship, placing second after losing the championship game against Al Riyadi.
After clawing their way back from a 19-point deficit, the PHL representatives got spoiled in the last sequence of the Dubai International Basketball Championship finals game after Al Riyadi sank the buzzer-beating three-pointer, 77-74, last January 29, 2024.
Despite the loss, it was still a stellar campaign for the PHL representatives after reaching the grand finals against the best teams in Southeast Asia.
Their last roster was led by former NBA superstar Dwight Ramos, former NBA swingman Andre Roberson, Andray Blatche, Kevin Quiambao, Justine Baltazar, and Jordan Heading.
For the William Jones Cup, Strong Group is yet to finalize its playing roster and will announce whether their big guns will be returning to fly to Taipei, Taiwan, from July 13 to 21, 2024.
Current Benilde chief tactician Charles Tiu and former Gilas Pilipinas mentor Rajko Toroman will still call the shots for Strong Group in the William Jones Cup.
