By NIKOLE JAVIER
Charles Tiu is upbeat to have locally-filled talent in Strong Group-Pilipinas’ lineup for the 43rd William Jones Cup slated July 13 to 21 in Taiwan.
Having tasted success more than once in the overseas tournament, the 35-year-old young mentor is looking to accomplish the same task with captain Kiefer Ravena and their relatively young squad.
Tiu had two prior coaching stints with Mighty Sports in the competition which he helped bring home the title in 2016 and a repeat in 2019.
“The last two times I went, we won [the Jones Cup], so hopefully, we’re able to continue that streak,” Tiu said as he is set to return to the tournament five years later.
“I think this time we’ve got a lot more local talent for sure. We’re a bit deeper on the local sides with less imports, too,” he added.
“I think we’ve had a little bit more time to prepare, so that’s good but hopefully the results would be the same.”
Earlier this year, the NCAA mentor led a different set of Strong Group roster in the 32nd Dubai International Championship and emerged as finalists where they eventually had a runner-up finish with NBA legend Dwight Howard in tow.
This time, Tiu is looking to lean on recently-declared PBA draftees Dave Ildefonso and Caelan Tiongson, free agent Rhenz Abando, Japan B. League guard RJ Abarrientos, who is nursing an injury from a freak accident, Taiwan Mustangs’ Geo Chiu, Gilas guard Jordan Heading, and collegiate standouts Tony Ynot, Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwanag from the local side.
All players were present on Tuesday’s practice except for naturalized player Ange Kouame, who just arrived in the country and is set to reunite with former Ateneo teammates Ildefonso and Chiu before the squad flies out on July 12, a day before their tournament kicks off.
Fil-Am DJ Fenner, former San Miguel import Chris McCullough and Tajuan Agee will be reinforcing the Philippine side, which will be fiercely pitted against eight other teams.
“Obviously, it’s a different team. Some of the teams participating are quite strong. I saw the Ukraine national team is gonna be there, so that’s tough. There’s also an American team that is like a pool of 19 to 25-year-olds, which are probably gonna be G-League guys, so competition is gonna be good, but it’s something that hopefully we’re prepared for, and we’ll be able to compete with. I like our chances this time around,” Tiu assured.
