STRONG Group Athletics is looking to bring in Dave Ildefonso, a French league mainstay and two to three college standouts to complete its 12-man lineup for the coming 43rd Williams Jones Cup in Taiwan, sources bared.
Ildefonso, currently a free agent at the end of his contract with Korea side Suwon KT Sonicboom, is set to reunite with fellow Gilas Pilipinas alums Kiefer Ravena, RJ Abarrientos, Jordan Heading, Ange Kouame, and Rhenz Abando.
Former SMB import Chris McCollough, meanwhile, is set to be joined by French league mainstay Tajuan Agee.
READ Rhenz Abando takes high-wire act to Strong Group in Jones Cup
The names of the three collegiate players will be announced soon to complete a star-laden SGA team which Jacob Lao, son of team owner Frank Lao, hopes will do the country proud in the Jones Cup, especially Taiwan-based overseas workers.
“We just wanted to win it for the Philippines. So, the ingredient is to form the best team possible,” said Lao.
"Ayaw kasi namin mapahiya sa mga Filipino basketball, fans especially now that Gilas is winning then fell short by a few points sa Dubai last February. Kaya we’re making sure we’re coming up with a stronger team,” he added.
SGA has made quite an impact in Philippine basketball the past thee years, having sent teams to the last two stagings of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament while being active with the running of the Converge FiberXers in the PBA.
Ildefonso's dad, two-time PBA MVP Danny, is part of the Converge coaching staff.
As the July 13-21 tournament in Taiwan nears, the soft-spoken former Ateneo Blue Eagles guard vowed the Strong Group team won't let Filipino fans down.
“Basta the idea of the team formation is to make Filipinos everywhere in the world proud of our team. We will fight hard in all of our games. Sana they continue supporting us. One big fight for the Philippines,” said Lao.
One of the most prestigious annual leagues in Asia, the Jones Cup has been attracting big teams from different parts of the globe. Philippine teams have won it four times in 1985 (San Miguel), 1998 (Philippine Centennial Team), 2012 (Gilas) and in 2016 (Mighty Sports).
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