CHICAGO -- The universe has a wonderful way of making things right, turning pain into gain, agony into ecstasy.
After a heart-breaking buzzer-beating 3-point loss to Al-Riyadi in the Finals loss of the Dubai tournament last January, Strong Group-Pilipinas found redemption at a prestigious Taiwan tournament.
Playing in adverse conditions at a hostile Xinzhuang Gymnasium, Strong Group bearded a lion in its den by beating Chinese Taipei-A in overtime, 83-79, to capture the 43rd Williams Jones Cup.
Down 71-64 with less than two minutes to play in regulation, SGP appeared headed for another disappointment, but thanks to an experienced hand on the sidelines and a group of players that didn't flinch, the Philippines pulled through.
GRACE UNDER PRESSURE
“I told them not to panic, focus on getting stops. We've faced adversity before and I reminded them to stick together. Got mad at them a bit for playing selfishly. But I told them to believe and not quit," coach Tiu said when asked what transpired in the huddle after they trailed large near the end.
What followed was a blistering 9-0 run that forged overtime. The rest is history.
With a star-studded lineup, many believed SGP had a cakewalk. To the contrary, coaching a talent-loaded quad is just as challenging when you consider playing time and egos.
"It was finding the right match-ups on both ends of the court," Tiu said of how he managed his guys, especially in the finale against a well-coached team that was led by the highly-recruited Hinton brothers -- Adam and Robert.
Is the PBA the next mountain to conquer?
"I still don't think I'm qualified," he replied.
He is just being modest. Tiu is more than qualified. His resume includes titles with Mighty Sports and a stint at Gilas under coach Rajko Toromoan, He is also concurrently the head coach of the College of St. Benilde, a school he towed to the 2022 NCAA Finals for the first time in 20 years.
Besides the obvious smarts and basketball know-how, Charles is also well-connected internationally, an advantage that gives him access to the best players in the world who may want to play as imports in the PBA.
But it's unlikely he'll make the leap. He is having a ball at Benilde and at Strong Group Athletics.
GRATITUDE ALL OVER
Going 8-0 in a 9-day tournament is impressive. But putting together a team without asking for government funds or private sponsors is just as amazing.
"We wanted to represent the Philippines and make the country proud. That's why we assembled the best talent we can acquire because we didn't just want to show up. We were there to win," billionaire-owner Frank Lao, told SPIN.ph.
Bankrolling a plethora of All-Stars isn't cheap but the SGA boss willingly forked the dough.
"Para sa bayan. National pride is priceless," he added while thanking his wife Janice and his children -- Jared, Janica and Converge executive Jacob -- for rallying behind him.
Most importantly, " Salamat sa mga kababayan natin na walang sawang pagsuporta sa Strong Group."
Up next for SGA is another stab at the Dubai tournament in 2025. After that SGA will also defend their Jones Cup title.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
