MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletic coach Charles Tiu expects former Gilas Pilipinas guards Kiefer Ravena and Jordan Heading to take the lead as the team prepares for the 43rd William Jones Cup slated from July 13-21 in Taipei, Taiwan.
The 30-year-old Ravena is fresh off a three-year stint with the Shiga Lakes in the Japan B.League. The "Phenom" owns the rare distinction of being a five-time Southeast Asian Games men's basketball gold medallist and has played for Gilas multiple times in his basketball career.
On the other hand, the 28-year-old Heading, is also back for the second time in recent months to play under Tiu or since helping the Dwight Howard-led SGA to a runner-up finish in the Dubai International Basketball Tournament last January.
"Kiefer is my team captain. He's an OG. The guys respect both him and Jordan a lot and I like how they're teaching and guiding a lot of our players," Tiu told the Manila Times, whose team began practicing a few days ago.
Ravena, currently a free agent after bidding goodbye with Shiga, is well-versed with Tiu, having played under the Filipino coach at Mighty Sports in the 2016 Merlion Cup Singapore and the 2017 Dubai International Basketball Championship.
As for Heading, the left-handed Filipino-Aussie guard adds outside shooting and energy for Strong Group, which is out to win the Jones Cup crown since the Philippines last won it in 2019.
Heading averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in the Dubai tournament this year.
He has also stayed sharp since his stint with SGA, seeing action for the West Adelaide Bearcats where he averaged 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in Australia's NBL-1.
While SGA is still working on its team chemistry, Tiu is upbeat about the team's chances in the Jones Cup.
"I like how the team is looking so far . There is good competition and players are practicing hard," he said. "We're just waiting for us to be complete. Hopefully, RJ (Abarrientos) can start training soon and Ange (Kouame) will arrive late next week."
Tiu was at the helm when the Philippines last won the Jones Cup crown in 2019 under the Mighty Sports club team that had Renaldo Balkman, Eugene Phelps and McKenzie Moore as imports.
Other members of Strong Group include high-flying Rhenz Abando, Gil-foreign gunner DJ Fenner, imports Chris McCollough, and Tajuan Agee, Caelan Tiongson, former Ateneo players Dave Ildefonso and Gio Chiu, along with young guns Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwag, and Tony Ynot.
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