Tag: Group

Charles Tiu sees ‘great balance’ in Jones Cup-bound Strong Group

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Strong Group Athletics coach Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman during an open training ahead of the Jones Cup. –SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—With the William Jones Cup coming up, Strong Group Athletics coach Charles Tiu is liking what he’s seeing from the Philippine side’s squad.

After SGA’s practice at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday, Tiu said that the team’s composition and chemistry so far have been exemplary as they undergo their final preparations before their tournament in Taiwan.

“I really like what I’m seeing. We’ve got great balance, a lot of talents in the wings and that’s a great problem to have,” said the top coach.

READ: Strong Group to represent PH in Jones Cup 

“It’s been really nice so far, they’re all coachable, they all pick up things so fast and I’m really excited for this tourney.”

The College of St. Benilde tactician, though, knows the competition will be anything but easy.

While the list of final participants for the Jones Cup has yet to be released, Tiu did some research of his own and saw that the playing field will be quite stacked.

READ: RJ Abarrientos nursing hurt foot ahead of Jones Cup stint

“Some of the teams participating are quite strong. I saw the Ukraine national team being there, there’s also an American team… Competition’s going to be good but it’s something that we’re hopeful to prepare for,” said Tiu.

The 43rd iteration of the tournament will signal Tiu’s fifth run.

With experience under his belt, Tiu compared his previous squads to the current team and acknowledged the local-heavy lineup flying to Taiwan.

“I think this time we’ve got a lot more local talents. We’re deeper on the local side, less imports and I think we’ve had a bit more time to prepare and that’s good. Hopefully, the results will be the same [from my previous coaching stints].”



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SGA will fly to Taiwan for the Jones Cup on July 12.

Ownership group of Boston Celtics putting team up for sale

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Majority owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics holds up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after Boston’s 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP

BOSTON — The ownership group that controls the NBA champion Boston Celtics says it intends to sell all its shares of the team.

In a statement released Monday, Boston Basketball Partners LLC said it intends to sell the majority of its shares in 2024 or early 2025. The balance of its shares would then close in 2028.

Wyc Grousbeck, whose family leads the ownership group, is expected to remain the team’s NBA governor until the sale is complete.

“The controlling family of the ownership group, after considerable thought and internal discussion, has decided to sell the team for estate and family planning considerations,” the statement said.

The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals last month to capture the franchise’s 18th championship.

READ: NBA: Celtics’ Brad Stevens expects only roster tweaks in repeat bid

Boston Basketball Partners — led by venture capitalist Grousbeck, his father and investor H. Irving Grousbeck, along with venture capitalist Steve Pagliuca — purchased the Celtics for $360 million from the Gaston family in 2002. The Gastons had owned the team since 1983.

One of the NBA’s original and storied brands, the Celtics were valued at $4.7 billion last year by Forbes, placing them behind only the Golden State Warriors ($7.7 billion), New York Knicks ($6.6 billion) and Los Angeles Lakers ($6.4 billion).

The current ownership group was in charge when the Celtics won the NBA title in 2008.

READ: Boston salutes Celtics’ record 18th NBA championship with parade 

In an email to Celtics staff that was obtained by The Associated Press, Wyc Grousbeck wrote they are “committed to finding a worthy incoming ownership group who will guide the Celtics to more decades of success.”

He added: “There will be a thoughtful and thorough process to find a buyer that recognizes the importance of Celtic Pride on the court and in the community.”

Last year, the Phoenix Suns were purchased by mortgage firm owner Mat Ishbia for $4 billion. That was followed by the sale of the Milwaukee Bucks to Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam for $3.5 billion. Last November, Mark Cuban agreed to the sale of the majority of his Dallas Mavericks’ ownership shares to Miriam Adelson and son-in-law Patrick Dumont, who operates the Las Vegas Sands casino company, for $3.5 billion.



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Dave Ildefonso Strong Group team for Jones Cup

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FILE–Dave Ildefonso is joining the Strong Group-Pilipinas for the Jones Cup. Photo from Suwon KT Sonicboom

MANILA, Philippines — Dave Ildefonso is reuniting with his Ateneo teammate Ange Kouame as he completes the Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for the 43rd William Jones Cup from July 13 to 21, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Ildefonso, armed with his two-year experience in the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT, on Saturday was welcomed by the Philippine club, which also tapped UAAP Season 84 Kouame as one of its many foreign players.

“I’m really excited to be on the same team with Ange again,” said Ildefonso, who will be playing with the Gilas naturalized center for the first time since winning the UAAP Season 85. “I know what he can bring to the team and how valuable he is as a player. He’ll definitely have a big role to play for SGA.”

READ: Dave Ildefonso missing home, weighing options aside from KBL

Ildefonso, the son of PBA legend and Converge assistant coach Danny, will be teaming up with overseas players Kiefer Ravena, Angelo Kouame, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, and RJ Abarrientos.

“My top priority in joining SGA is to help the team which is being handled by one of my friends in Ateneo Jacob (Lao) win the championship in any way possible,” said the KBL Asian import. “Representing the country is always a privilege, and I intend to make the most of an opportunity like this.”

DJ Fenner, Chris McCollough, Caelan Tiongson, and Tajuan Agee will reinforce the Filipinos, who will also be represented by young guns Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwag, and Tony Ynot.

READ: Kouame, Abarrientos boost Strong Group’s Jones Cup roster

Ildefonso is also reuniting with Strong Group coach Charles Tiu, who previously coached him in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the Dubai International Basketball Tournament in 2020 under the Mighty Sports banner. 

“I’ve always been a fan of Dave’s game,” said Tiu. “I’m looking forward to seeing the improvement in his game from his time abroad. Hopefully, we can help boost his confidence for his next career step.”



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