Latest news with #StrongGroup
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group completes Jones Cup title sweep with blowout win vs. UAE
Strong Group Athletics (SGA)-Philippines didn't just win back-to-back titles as it also completed a tournament sweep, thrashing UAE with an 87-62 victory to conclude its 2025 Jones Cup run on Sunday in Taiwan. SGA, which had already clinched the championship on Saturday after dominating Bahrain with a 92-68 romp, capped off its stint unscathed with an 8-0 win-loss card. UAE, on the other hand, closed out its campaign winless at 0-8. Tajuan Agee gave the Philippine representative a huge lift after erupting for 20 points laced with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal while Kiefer Ravena took over in the fourth and finished with a near double-double of 13 markers and nine dimes. Other reinforcements in Ian Miller and DJ Fenner each chipped in 12 points as Dave Ildefonso chimed in with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Up by just a solitary point at the break, Strong Group shifted into high gear in the second half as Fenner and Jason Brickman led their third quarter surge with the former knocking down a triple for a 62-48 lead. UAE tried to make some runs before heading to the fourth after Khalifa Khalil Ibrahim Salem completed a four-point play with two seconds left in the third as they cut the deficit to 10, 62-52. But Ravena seized control in the payoff period, sinking a three-pointer before issuing back-to-back dimes that led to a pair of baskets for Ildefonso as they raced to a 76-56 cushion. Ravena, who missed the first three games due to previous commitment, buried a mid-range jumper and layup that sent Strong Group to a comfortable 80-57 advantage with still 4:09 to play. SGA never took its foot off the pedal as they became the first Philippine team to ever win two titles in a row. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group clinches back-to-back Jones Cup titles with rout of Bahrain ahead of final game vs UAE
Strong Group-Philippines dominated the second half to turn a close contest into a 92-68 rout of Bahrain in their virtual title clash at the 2025 William Jones Cup on Saturday in Taiwan. Andre Roberson led the way with a double-double outing of 25 points and 14 rebounds laced with three assists, two steals, and one block while Tajuan Agee posted 19 markers, eight boards, two dimes, one steal, and block as they soared to a 7-0 card. With that win-loss record, the Philippine representative is already assured of finishing at the top spot as Bahrain fell to a 6-2 slate. The campaign, however, isn't done yet for Strong Group as it will still take on the winless UAE on Sunday in bid to complete a title sweep. Against Bahrain, Strong Group showed no signs of slowing down as they turned a slim 54-43 halftime lead to a 60-49 cushion early in the third before Bahrain slowly found their groove and cut the deficit to six, 64-58. But Javi Gomez de Liaño, who was scoreless through the first two quarters, caught fire and buried nine of his overall points as part of an 11-6 run that stretched Strong Group's lead to 11 again, 75-64. Roberson delivered the finishing blow in the fourth quarter, cleaning up Kiefer Ravena's missed three before throwing down a powerful two-handed slam in transition, pushing SGA's lead to 86-64. Gomez de Liaño then knocked down another three-pointer that proved to be the dagger as SGA maintained their immaculate run so far. Gomez de Liaño led the local support with 12 points together with seven rebounds and two steals while Rhenz Abando chipped in 11 markers. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group survives Malaysia to remain perfect in Jones Cup
The Strong Group Athletics survived Malaysia, 106-98, to remain perfect in six games in the Jones Cup in Taiwan on Friday. After taking a 87-64 lead by the end of the third, Malaysia made a 20-10 run to cut its deficit with five minutes to play in the fourth period. The Philippine representative, however, held off the Malaysians to claim the victory. 'It was not the best game for us defensively, but we got the job done,' said head coach Charles Tiu. 'We were also able to rest Dre [Roberson] and Tajuan [Agee], which is crucial. Now all focus for us is our game tomorrow against Bahrain — our championship game.' The game against Bahrain will serve as a championship game as it also holds a 6-0 record like Strong Group. The team with the best record by the end of the tournament will be hailed as champions. DJ Fenner led the Strong Group with 20 points, eight boards, and four assists, while Ange Kouame and Geo Chiu registered double-double performances with the former having 11 points and 10 boards, while the latter had 12 points and 10 rebounds, as well. NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, meanwhile, had 16 points and Kiefer Ravena had 17 points. The Strong Group will play Bahrain on Saturday at 3 p.m. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Fenner, Gomez de Liaño star as Strong Group routs Qatar to remain spotless in Jones Cup
DJ Fenner and Javi Gomez de Liaño took turns in steering Strong Group-Philippines to an 81-54 blowout win against the Qatar national team to remain unbeaten in the William Jones Cup on Tuesday in Taiwan. Both Fenner and Gomez de Liaño churned out 18 points with the former grabbing seven rebounds and one assist as the Philippine squad improved to 3-0 to open its title defense bid. Qatar, meanwhile, dropped to 1-3 nearly halfway through the nine-team tournament. American reinforcement Fenner waxed hot early, dropping 16 of his total output in the first half to help Strong Group establish a 34-25 separation against Qatar. The rest of the squad led by Gomez de Liaño took care of the job the rest of the way with Ian Miller sinking a pair of three-pointers to send Strong Group to a 49-30 cushion in the third. Qatar then fought back to end the period, knocking down three triples to cut the deficit to 13 before heading to the fourth, 52-39. Andre Roberson and Fenner connived in a 6-0 run to open the fourth before Dave Ildefonso sank a pull-up jumper to make it a massive 70-47 lead for the defending champions. Gomez de Liaño provided the finishing blow, converting seven points late in the game as Strong Group continued its flawless run so far in the annual tournament. Miller chipped in 10 points while Roberson tallied seven markers but grabbed 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Strong Group will put its unblemished record on the line on Wednesday, when it takes on Australia (2-2) at 5 p.m. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Strong Group bucks slow start to beat Chinese Taipei Blue in Jones Cup opener
Strong Group-Philippines overcame a sluggish start to pull off a 67-56 stunner against home team Chinese Taipei Blue and kick off its title defense in the William Jones Cup on the right note on Sunday in Taiwan. The Philippine representative leaned on a third quarter eruption where they dropped 26 points while limiting the opposing foes to just two, opening its campaign with a 1-0 start while the host fell to a 0-1 card. Andre Roberson led the charge with a double-double outing of 17 points, including an eight-point explosion in the third period, and 19 rebounds while also listing five steals to lead the comeback win. Ian Miller made his presence felt with 16 points, three assists, and two rebounds while Rhenz Abando led the local support with 11 markers, three dimes, two boards, two steals, and two blocks. 'This is what veterans are supposed to do,' said Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu. 'We had a rough start, yes, but the guys didn't panic. They responded like professionals. Still, we can't afford to relax moving forward.' Tiu and Strong Group will look to build on this momentum when they take on Japan Developmental Team on Monday at 5:00 p.m., still at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium. 'We'll enjoy this win for a few hours but then it's back to business. There's still a long way to go in this tournament," Tiu added. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
