At A Glance
- Kiefer Ravena and Rhenz Abando lead the local charge as Strong Group Athletics opens its title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan this weekend.
Kiefer Ravena and Rhenz Abando lead the local charge as Strong Group Athletics opens its title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan this weekend.
Minus some of its championship players in RJ Abarrientos, Jordan Heading and Chris McCullough, SGA remained intact with Ravena and Abando taking the lead in the 44th edition of the annual cagefest slated July 12 to 20.
Charles Tiu is serving as head coach, while former Oklahoma City standout André Roberson returns to reinforce the club which expects a tough test against nine other teams in the competition.
SGA faces last year's finals foe Taipei Blue in its first game this Sunday, July 13, but will be missing Ravena due to personal reason.
Despite Ravena’s absence, Filipino-American seasoned playmaker Jason Brickman will provide the leadership on the floor alongside Angge Kouame, Allen Liwag, DJ Fenner, Tajuan Agee, and new additions Ian Miller and Javi Gomez de Liano.
With eight games in eight days, SGA will also meet Japan’s Under-25 team, Qatar, Australia, Taipei White, Malaysia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Last year, SGA swepts its eight games to reclaim the crown and give the Philippines its seventh championship in the tournament that was inaugurated in 1977.