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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Roberson stars as SGA opens title defense with come-from-behind win over Taipei Blue

Roberson stars as SGA opens title defense with come-from-behind win over Taipei Blue

Published Jul 13, 2025 10:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Strong Group Athletics banked on its third-quarter surge and notched a come-from-behind 67-56 win over Taipei Blue to begin its two-peat bid on a high in the 44th William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan Sunday, July 13.
(SGA)
(SGA)
Strong Group Athletics banked on its third-quarter surge and notched a come-from-behind 67-56 win over Taipei Blue to begin its two-peat bid on a high in the 44th William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan Sunday, July 13.
Despite going scoreless for six and a half minutes and was down 0-10 in the opening stretch, SGA made sure to secure a fitting start to its title defense by mounting a 26-2 run for a 54-37 lead in the third frame which was enough to leave the Taiwanese bets behind.
Kiefer Ravena's absence was hardly felt as SGA captured its ninth straight win after posting a perfect 8-0 card in the last edition highlighted by an overtime win against the same squad.
Up next for the Charles Tiu-guided crew is Japan U25 team Monday, July 14, at the same arena.
It would be a grueling test for SGA as it is set to play eight games in eight straight days.
Taipei Blue, for its part, failed to complete its strong opening as it let the momentum slip away in the second half where it struggled offensively, no thanks to SGA’s suffocating defense.
Andre Roberson proved to be a force to be reckoned with after pouring in 17 points – including his and-1 play in the third canto that gave SGA its first lead in the contest – along with 19 rebounds, and five steals.
Aside from Roberson, Rhenz Abando, who finished with 11 points, three assists, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, brought delight to the Filipino fans inside the venue, especially when he delivered back-to-back jams.
DJ Fenner and Andre Miller,  who had 16 points, also impressed as they ignited SGA runs in the first part of the game as well Dave Ildefonso, Javi Gomez de Liaño, and Tajuan Agee with their respective efforts on both ends.
Meanwhile, Chen Yingjun starred for the Taipei Blue side with 14 points and five rebounds.

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