Strong Group Athletics (basketball)

This article is about basketball department. For the volleyball department formerly under the same name, see Zus Coffee Thunderbelles.
Strong Group Athletics
LeaguesN/A
Founded2023
Team managerJacob Lao
Head coachCharles Tiu
OwnershipStrong Group Athletics
ChampionshipsWilliam Jones Cup: 1 (2024)
Websitewww.sgathletics.com

Strong Group Athletics (SGA) is a men's basketball team based in the Philippines. It is owned and managed by an organization of the same name, which was founded by the Filipino businessman Frank Lao.[1] They are not part of any domestic leagues but a frequent participant of international club tournaments such as the William Jones Cup and the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

History

The Strong Group maintains its own basketball team which has competed in the Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

They debuted in the 2023 edition, with Mighty Sports and Acto City sponsoring their stint.[2][3] Strong Group, coached by Charles Tiu, finished as quarterfinalists.[4]

They returned in 2024 edition with Tiu reprising his role and backed by Brian Goorjian as team consultant.[5] They reached the final, but lost the title to Lebanese club Al Riyadi.[6] They took part at the 2024 William Jones Cup in 2024 and finished as champions.[7]

SGA returned in the 2025 edition of the Dubai tournament.[8][9] They lost the semifinals against Tunisia and boycotted the third place playoff in protest of the officiating.[10][11] They will defend their William Jones Cup titlte in 2025.[12]

Current roster

The following is the roster of the Strong Group for the 2025 William Jones Cup.[13]

Strong Group – 2025 William Jones Cup roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Import
  • Nat. – Flags indicate national team
    eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events
  • Age – describes age
    on January 24, 2025

Players

Player Nationality Tournament
2023 2024 2025
DIBC[14][15] DIBC[5][16][17] WJC[18] DIBC[5][16][17] WJC[13]
Rhenz Abando Philippines Yes
RJ Abarrientos Philippines Yes
Tajuan Agee United States Yes
BJ Andrade Philippines Yes
Renaldo Balkman Puerto Rico Yes
Justine Baltazar Philippines Yes
Sedrick Barefield Philippines Yes
Andray Blatche Philippines Yes
JD Cagulangan Philippines Yes Yes
Geo Chiu Philippines Yes
Francis Escandor Philippines Yes
DJ Fenner United States Yes
Inand Fornillos Philippines Yes
Will Gozum Philippines Yes
Jordan Heading Philippines Yes Yes
Dwight Howard United States Yes
Dave Ildefonso Philippines Yes
Ange Kouame Philippines Yes
Jacob Lao Philippines Yes
Jerom Lastimosa Philippines Yes
Allen Liwag Philippines Yes Yes
Francis Lopez Philippines Yes
Jonathan Manalili Philippines Yes
McKenzie Moore United States Yes
Chris McCullough United States Yes
Shabazz Muhammad United States Yes
Miguel Ozcon Philippines Yes
Kevin Quiambao Philippines Yes Yes
Kiefer Ravena Philippines Yes
André Roberson United States Yes Yes
Justine Sanchez Philippines Yes
Caelan Tiongson Philippines Yes
Tony Ynot Philippines Yes Yes
Nick Young United States Yes
Javi Gomez de Liano Philippines Yes
Ian Miller United States Yes

Head coaches

Honors

Champions (1): 2024
  • Dubai International Basketball Championship
Runner-up (1): 2024

See also

References

  1. ^ "UAAP: Lady Warriors boost roster as California Academy standouts commit to UE". ABS-CBN News. July 19, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Strong Group begins Dubai campaign vs UAE national team". Manila Bulletin. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Li, Matthew (December 23, 2022). "Mighty Sports gives way as Jacob Lao's Strong Group to rep PH in Dubai meet". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (February 3, 2023). "Strong Group-PH bows out of contention in Dubai". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Sayson, Homer (January 3, 2024). "Strong Group taps Howard, Blatche, Goorjian for Dubai. Is Brownlee next?". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Strong Group falters vs. Al Riyadi in wild Dubai finals encounter". GMA News. January 29, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Anzures, Rom (July 21, 2025). "SGA spoils Taipei-A's party to rule 43rd Jones Cup". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  8. ^ Fuertes, Rommel Jr. (January 11, 2025). "Strong Group brings back key cogs for upcoming Dubai tilt". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  9. ^ Suing, Ivan (January 12, 2025). "SGA ready for redemption". Daily Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  10. ^ Badua, Snow (February 2, 2025). "SGA mulls boycotting Dubai third-place game: 'Sama talaga ng tawagan'". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  11. ^ "Respect The Game: Strong Group Withdraws from Dubai Bronze Game". Strong Group Athletics. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  12. ^ "Strong Group-Pilipinas runs it back for Jones Cup title defense". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. June 28, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Strong Group taps 2 imports to complete Jones Cup team". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Li, Matthew (January 24, 2023). "Kevin Quiambao replaces Kouame in Strong Group lineup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (January 29, 2023). "Shabazz Muhammad fuels Strong Group-PH to another win in Dubai". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Strong Group brings in Quiambao, Topex, Escandor, CSB trio for Dubai meet". Tiebreaker Times. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Ulanday, John Bryan (January 18, 2024). "Strong Group puts loaded lineup to test vs UAE". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  18. ^ "Dave Ildefonso completes Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for Jones Cup". Tiebreaker Times. June 15, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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