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Caelan Tiongson

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171999811080120240702-sga-practice-jonescup-MD-9123.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Former Alab Pilipinas standout Caelan Tiongson is finally joining the PBA.After previously playing in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) as well in Taiwan, the 6-foot-5, Filipino-American forward will now be among the hopefuls who will be waiting for their names to be called in the league&#x27;s annual Rookie Draft later this month.&quot;Man, it was just that time. I think the PBA is always something that is an option for me,&quot; said the 32-year-old Tiongson who will be first playing with Strong Group Athletics in next week&#x27;s 43rd William Jones Cup.&quot;I was young and dumb a few years ago and wanted to pursue other ventures. But now I&#x27;m happy to be in the Philippines, and [looking forward to] having a long career here,&quot; he added.Tiongson also admitted that he was already thinking about joining the proceedings prior to the league&#x27;s 48th season, but decided that there were things that he first needed to take care of first.&quot;About a year and a half ago, I went back to the States because I was helping take care of my grandmother who was ill. But by the time that she got better, I was already gonna miss the upcoming season, so it&#x27;s been a long layoff,&quot; he said.&quot;Coming here and playing with Strong Group with a lot of talented players, it&#x27;s my first practice in a while, so getting my condition back and everything like that, it&#x27;s gonna be good for me so I appreciate the opportunity that Charles [Tiu] gave me,&quot; explained the Biola University product, who also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3lUdlYHS3d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">briefly retired from the sport last 2019</a>.Since then, he made his return to the sport in 2021 with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan&#x27;s T1 League.But now that he will finally have the chance to play in the PBA, which team does he hope to play for?&quot;I know there are a lot of connections to Ginebra because for so long, I&#x27;ve been linked to them. But whoever wants me, and whoever can take care of me, that&#x27;s where I want to go,&quot; he bared.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171999817901820240702-sga-practice-jonescup-MD-9599.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>Still, Tiongson, who was supposed to play for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA 3x3, admitted that it would be an honor to play under Tim Cone.&quot;I mean, like I said, I&#x27;d be grateful to play for any coach and any team that wants me, but definitely, Tim Cone, he is a legend and is one of the best PBA coaches to ever do it,&quot; he said.&quot;I&#x27;ve gotten to talk with him a few times, and I&#x27;ve gotten to go to a few practices with Ginebra back in the day, so that would be really cool. I did a little stint of 3x3 with Ginebra, so I was in the gym with them a lot,&quot; offered Tiongson, who previously trained alongside present Gin Kings Ralph Cu and Don Gumaru as well as Kim Aurin.&quot;I see those guys are having success now in the PBA, so it&#x27;s cool to see,&quot; he continued, while also joking about his age as he enters the PBA.&quot;Yeah, I&#x27;m 32. Hopefully, I&#x27;ll play until I&#x27;m 50,&quot; he quipped.<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3060874"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

Former Alab Pilipinas standout Caelan Tiongson is finally joining the PBA.

Caelan Tiongson on finally joining the PBA Draft: ‘It was just that time’

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Caelan Tiongson on finally joining the PBA Draft: ‘It was just that time’

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 03, 2024 06:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

PBA Rookie Draft

Strong Group Athletics

SGA

Caelan Tiongson

Barangay Ginebra

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