RJ Abarrientos and Ange Kouame became the latest additions to Strong Group's roster that is headed to the 43rd William Jones Cup in July. 

The former UAAP standouts will be reunited with other Gilas Pilipinas teammates Kiefer Ravena and Jordan Heading in Taiwan to bolster the lineup gunning for its seventh title in the tournament. 

Abarrientos is coming off a dismal maiden stint in the Japan B. League with the Shinshu Brave Warriors, who finished second to last in the overall standings of the recently concluded 2023-24 season. 

Following his brilliant rookie year in the Korean Basketball League that saw him finish as the top rookie last year, Abarrientos made the shocking jump shortly after his time in the Korean league. 

However, things didn't pan out for Abarrientos in Japan the way it did in Korea as he also saw limited action in the league. 

Meanwhile, former UAAP MVP Kouame will be suiting up for the Philippines for the first time since helping the country capture the Asian Games gold medal in October last year. 

Kouame has taken his talent Nationale Masculine 1 club UB Chartres Métropole, which is a third tier French basketball tournament. 

It was a forgettable stint for the Rain or Shine-Philippines squad last year, which struggled thoroughly with only two victories to show for itself in the pocket tournament. 

So far, the full roster hasn’t been announced yet.