By MARK REY MONTEJO
Reigning champion Strong Group Athletics launches its back-to-back bid against Taipei Blue in a rematch of last season’s finalists in the 2025 William Jones Cup which stars Saturday, July 12, at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan this weekend.
The PH club, however, will be without RJ Abarrientos, Jordan Heading and Chris Chris McCullough when they tackle the host squad on Sunday – the first of their scheduled eight straight games.
The three played key roles in the team’s impressive title run last year that saw them complete an 8-game sweep, thus matching the feat of Caesar Wongchuking’s Mighty Sports in 2019.
But judging the roster, SGA remains formidable what with the presence of former Oklahoma City Thunder André Roberson and Rhenz Abando.
Former Gilas player Kiefer Ravena will miss several games due to prior commitment while Geo Chiu and Dave Ildefonso are expected to suit up in the team’s second game.
Despite Ravena’s absence Fil-Am playmaker Jason Brickman will be there to provide the leadership alongside Angge Kouame, Allen Liwag, DJ Fenner, Tajuan Agee, and new additions Ian Miller and Javi Gomez de Liano.
The Charles Tiu-mentored PH club is bracketed with Japan’s Under-25 team, Qatar, Australia, Taipei White, Malaysia, Bahrain, and UAE.
