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Former Ateneo player Dave Ildefonso

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<p>MANILA -- Former Ateneo de Manila University star Dave Ildefonso completes the roster of Strong Group-Pilipinas for the 43rd William Jones Cup next month in Taipei, Taiwan.</p><p>Ildefonso joins a line-up that already includes Kiefer Ravena, Angelo Kouame, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, and RJ Abarrientos.</p><p>Also part of the team are DJ Fenner, Chris McCollough, Caelan Tiongson, and Tajuan Agee, along with young guns Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwag, and Tony Ynot.</p><p>Charles Tiu calls the shots for the squad that will compete in the tournament from July 13-21.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1718457583196UAAP85 MBB DAVE ILDEFONSO.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Ateneo player Dave Ildefonso during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 men&#x27;s basketball Finals against the UP Fighting Maroons, December 14, 2022 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span contenteditable="true" id="isPasted" style="text-align:left">Former Ateneo player Dave Ildefonso during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 men&#x27;s basketball Finals against the UP Fighting Maroons, December 14, 2022 at the Araneta Coliseum. <em>UAAP Media/File</em></span></span></span></span></div><p>&quot;My top priority in joining SGA is to help the team which is being handled by one of my friends in Ateneo, Jacob (Lao), win the championship in any way possible,&quot; said Ildefonso. &quot;Representing the country is always a privilege, and I intend to make the most of an opportunity like this.&quot;</p><p>After his stint with the Blue Eagles, Ildefonso played two seasons in the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT, seeing action in 44 games. </p><p>In Strong Group, he reunites with Kouame, who was his teammate during the Blue Eagles&#x27; run to the UAAP Season 85 men&#x27;s basketball championship.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m really excited to be on the same team with Ange again,&quot; Ildefonso said. &quot;I know what he can bring to the team and how valuable he is as a player. He&#x27;ll definitely have a big role to play for SGA.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/9/kouame-abarrientos-join-strong-group-lineup-for-jones-cup-1601">READ: Kouame, Abarrientos join Strong Group lineup for Jones Cup</a></div><p>This tournament also marks a reunion between Ildefonso and Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu, who previously coached him during the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2019 and the Dubai International Basketball Tournament in 2020 under the Mighty Sports banner.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;ve always been a fan of Dave&#x27;s game,&quot; said Tiu. &quot;I&#x27;m looking forward to seeing the improvement in his game from his time abroad. Hopefully, we can help boost his confidence for his next career step.&quot;</p><p>Meanwhile, Strong Group also added Letran&#x27;s Manalili along with College of St. Benilde&#x27;s Liwag and Ynot to their lineup.</p><p>Manalili, the youngest of the trio at 19 years old, is a 6-foot Cebuano floor general who has already made a name for himself. He was the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball Most Valuable Player, leading the Letran Squires to back-to-back titles. </p><p>In his final year with the Squires, Manalili averaged an impressive 16.08 points, 6.92 assists, 4.23 rebounds, and 2.46 steals per game. </p><p>Ynot and Liwag, on the other hand, were part of the Strong Group squad that finished second in the 2024 Dubai Basketball International Tournament. </p><p>Liwag, 22 and stands at 6-foot-6, was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Blazers during the Preseason Cup, with averages of 13.7 points and 7.6 rebounds, while Ynot, 24 and stands at 5-foot-11, contributed 8.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.</p><p>&quot;This will not only prepare Allen, Tony, and Jonathan for the upcoming NCAA Season 100 tournament but will also help them have a bright future in basketball,&quot; Tiu stated.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/11/rhenz-abando-is-latest-to-join-strong-group-for-jones-cup-1522">READ: Rhenz Abando is latest to join Strong Group for Jones Cup</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ctB9skMhdc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>

<p>Former Ateneo de Manila University star Dave Ildefonso completes the roster of Strong Group-Pilipinas for the 43rd William Jones Cup next month in Taipei, Taiwan.</p>

Former Ateneo de Manila University star Dave Ildefonso completes the roster of Strong Group-Pilipinas for the 43rd William Jones Cup next month in Taipei, Taiwan.

Dave Ildefonso completes Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for Jones Cup

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Dave Ildefonso completes Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for Jones Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 15, 2024 09:47 PM PHT

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Jones CUp

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