Tag: Jones

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.

RJ Abarrientos nursing hurt foot ahead of Jones Cup stint

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RJ Abarrientos during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos may not quite be a hundred percent in Strong Group Athletics’ run in the upcoming William Jones Cup.

The Japan B.League Filipino import bared on Tuesday at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong that he’s been in pain after a freak injury that occurred during one of his home workouts in preparation for the looming tournament.

“I worked out in front of our house. Long story short, I stepped on broken glass while I was training and I even thought I tore my achilles. It was kind of scary,” said Abarrientos.

“When I saw that it was just a deep cut, I went to the ER and I got the results right away, they put five stitches on my foot and I even thought I was out.”

READ: RJ Abarrientos seeks improvement after first B.League season

Thankfully though, Abarrientos wasn’t ruled out like he expected to be.

After undergoing some minimal procedures, the Shinshu Brave Warrior was given the green light to start training with the squad under coaches Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman.

However, Abarrientos was still imping from time to time during Tuesday’s scrimmages.

READ: RJ Abarrientos carries no pressure from KBL to B.League

Fortunately for him, the SGA’s coaching staff is taking it step-by-step for him to be completely ready for the Jones Cup.

“That’s the word. They’re not rushing me. They just want me to get my rhythm back,” Abarrientos said.

Whether Abarrientos recovers completely before the tournament or not, SGA will have quite the reinforcements with collegiate guards Titing Manalili from Letran and Tony Ynot from College of St. Benilde.

And Abarrientos is confident that the young guns in the backcourt will be of big help come tournament time.



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“I think the coaches have plans for Ynot and Titing that’s why they took them. Me, I’m a fan of them. I already saw their skills in the NCAA.”

Gilas Pilipinas women set sights on Jones Cup after U18 success

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Gilas Pilipinas girls at the PSA Forum following their triumphant stint in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup.-PSA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The hard work continues for the successful Gilas women’s program following its masterful conquest of the Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China last week.

Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) take over when they see action in the Jones Cup in Taiwan set July 13 to 21 and the pre-qualifiers for the next Fiba World Cup set in Rwanda scheduled Aug 19 to 25.

“Then there’s the next SEA Games (2025). Kailangan makuha ulit natin ang gold sa SEA Games,” Aquino said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

READ: Gilas girls earn Division A promotion after whipping Lebanon

Aquino and head coach Julie Amos graced the forum along with members of the U18 team that swept Division B of the Asia Cup and earned a spot in Division A for 2026.

The development was welcome news for the Gilas program after its senior team, the Gilas women, previously made it to Division A as well as the U16 team in the Asia Cup.

“This is the future of our women’s basketball. Tingin ko wala na akong problema for the next years or so. We should continue the program for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP (Sahahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy,” added Aquino.

However, Amos, a former key player for the national team, said all but one of the members of this U18 team will no longer be eligible for 2026.

“Isa na lang ang matititra (Tiffany Reyes) so I hope the SBP continues to help us,” she said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

READ: Tough draw for Gilas women in Fiba World PreQualifiers

“But we have a good problem because more players are asking how they can join the team. It’s just a matter of identifying the talents that will fit the program,” Amos said.

Moving up to Division A for the U18 team was not a complete surprise, according to Aquino.

“We were expecting it. I knew the girls can do it. And it’s a mark for us now around Asia that we can play against the level of China, Japan and Korea,” he said of the campaign in Shenzhen where the Gilas girls went undefeated including a convincing win over Lebanon in the final.

Among the players who graced the forum were team captain Ava Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban, Margarette Duenas, Sophia Canindo, Gabby Ramos, Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Alicia Villanueva and Audrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Jolzyne Impreso, and Venice Quinte. With them was former champion coach Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to the SBP president.

Aquino said it’s bittersweet that most of the U18 players that ruled the Shenzhen meet will no longer be eligible for the 2026 edition.

“I hope that someday they can all represent the senior team,” he said.



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“And hopefully we’ll find new faces na magpapatuloy sa ating mga programa. Pero mas malaki na yung pool natin. Lumalaki ng lumalaki,” Aquino added.

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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