MANILA, Philippines — After two years, Jordan Heading has returned to Taiwan.

This time around, the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter is representing the Philippines, playing for Strong Group-Pilipinas in the 43rd William Jones Cup.

"I'm super happy to be back in Taiwan. I love the food and the people," said the 28-year-old Filipino-Australian guard. "It's just fun to play basketball here and see familiar faces."

During the 2021 off-season, Heading, fresh off his Gilas Pilipinas Men debut, signed with T1 League team Taichung Suns. It was a homecoming for Heading, who attended Morrison Academy in Taichung.

In his sole season with the Suns, Heading was one of the primary options for the team, averaging 19.9 points on a 36.4% shooting clip from three, with 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. However, his run with Taichung ended in heartbreak as the Suns bowed to Jason Brickman and the Kaohsiung Aquas in the Finals in three games.

Heading then went to Japan to play for B.League team Nagasaki Velca.

This weekend, Strong Group-Pilipinas faces Chinese-Taipei White on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Chinese-Taipei's Team A on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. And Heading can't wait to face them.

"I know some guys from Chinese-Taipei's top team, and it's good to play against them again. There are some good competitors out there, so yeah... it's just fun to be back," said Heading, who is averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in six games played so far.

Though still a free agent, the 28-year-old guard is not thinking about where he is headed next.

"It's the only reason we're here, man! To be honest, my mindset isn't really on where I'm going next or even on Gilas. It's on winning the Jones Cup and doing whatever we can with this team to get wins and win every single game that we play," he said.

What matters to him now is finally leaving Taiwan with a championship.

"Whatever comes afterward, comes from it, but we're just focused on this moment." TMT

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