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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Koreans dominate SGA in Jones Cup opener

Koreans dominate SGA in Jones Cup opener

Published Aug 14, 2026 03:52 pm

At A Glance

  • The three-pead bid of Strong Group Athletics got off to a shaky start after dropping a 79-110 loss to South Korea in the William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City Friday, Aug. 14.
(SGA)
(SGA)
The three-pead bid of Strong Group Athletics got off to a shaky start after dropping a 79-110 loss to South Korea in the William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City Friday, Aug. 14.
Despite the hulking presence of Serbian giant Boban Marjanovic and a potent core of imports, Strong Group struggled heavily against the South Koreans who managed to break the game wide open with a 43-22 lead in the second frame.
From there, the Philippine-based club tried to cut the deficit but eventually failed as Korea, represented by Ethan Alvano and the Wonju DB Promy, maintained its fine form and even hiked the insurmountable lead in the final quarter.
Strong Group, on the other hand, took its first taste of defeat after a 16-game winning streak that also produced back-to-back championships since joining the competition in 2024.
Up next for the Charles Tiu-mentored crew is Japan this Saturday, Aug. 15, at the same venue, while Group A leader South Korea battles host Chinese Taipei-Blue.
Tajuan Agee topscored for SGA with 21 points on top of 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Puerto Rican reinforcer Isaiah Piñeiro and Malick Diouf backed him with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Marjanovic, a former Serbia national team player who played in different NBA teams, pulled off six points and one rebound in his SGA debut. William Navarro, Derek Fenner, and Titing Manalili combined for 22 points in a losing cause.
Rayshaun Hammonds and Filipino-American Alvano steered the Korea side with 25 and 21 points, respectively.

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