Camille Naredo

Rhenz Abando of Strong Group-PH dunks against Chinese Taipei Blue during their game in the 2025 Jones Cup, July 13, 2025 at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium. Handout/Strong Group-Philippines 

Rhenz Abando of Strong Group-PH dunks against Chinese Taipei Blue during their game in the 2025 Jones Cup, July 13, 2025 at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

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Jones Cup

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752420059969abando.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rhenz Abando of Strong Group-PH dunks against Chinese Taipei Blue during their game in the 2025 Jones Cup, July 13, 2025 at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium. Handout/Strong Group-Philippines "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rhenz Abando of Strong Group-PH dunks against Chinese Taipei Blue during their game in the 2025 Jones Cup, July 13, 2025 at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium. <em>Handout/Strong Group-Philippines </em></span></span></span></div><p>Strong Group-Philippines leaned on an explosive third quarter to overcome Chinese Taipei Blue, 67-56, for a triumphant start to their title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup, Sunday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.</p><p>Strong Group had to shake off a horror start that saw them make just one field goal in the opening quarter. Powered by Andre Roberson and Rhenz Abando, they found their groove after halftime and unleashed a stunning 26-2 blitz that turned a 28-35 deficit into a 54-37 advantage heading into the final frame.</p><p>Roberson, the former Oklahoma City Thunder player, ignited a 21-0 run with his hustle on both ends. He converted an and-1 at the 5:19 mark to give the Philippines the lead, 37-35, and set the tone for the rest of the game.</p><p>Roberson followed up with a pair of baskets, while Abando thrilled the crowd with consecutive fastbreak dunks. By the time Lin Tinqian halted the drought for Chinese Taipei with a lone free throw late in the third, Strong Group had firmly seized control.</p><p>&quot;This is what veterans are supposed to do,&quot; said head coach Charles Tiu. &quot;We had a rough start, yes, but the guys didn&#x27;t panic. They responded like professionals. Still, we can&#x27;t afford to relax moving forward.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/12/strong-group-opens-jones-cup-title-defense-against-chinese-taipei-1600">READ: Strong Group opens Jones Cup title defense against Chinese-Taipei</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/9/strong-group-pilipinas-braces-for-tough-title-defense-in-jones-cup-2358">READ: Strong Group-Pilipinas braces for tough title defense in Jones Cup</a></div><p>Chinese Taipei was held without a single field goal for nearly nine minutes as DJ Fenner and Dave Ildefonso joined the scoring party to close out a dominant quarter that silenced the home crowd.</p><p>Despite easing off the gas in the fourth, Strong Group maintained composure. Chinese Taipei trimmed the lead to single digits late in the game, but Abando calmly drilled a dagger three-pointer with 45.6 seconds left to settle the outcome.</p><p>Roberson delivered a commanding performance in the absence of Kiefer Ravena—who missed the game due to his participation in a Jordan Brand event in Athens—finishing with 17 points, 19 rebounds (including nine offensive), and five steals.</p><p>&quot;He was incredible,&quot; Tiu said of Roberson. &quot;His energy really lifted the whole team in that third quarter. We were flying around, rotating on defense, just doing everything right. That&#x27;s the kind of effort we need every single game.&quot;</p><p>Abando added 11 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Ian Miller contributed 16 points despite a cold 5-of-17 clip from the field.</p><p>Strong Group endured a rocky start, hitting just one of their first 14 attempts and falling behind, 7-19, after the first quarter. But Miller found his rhythm in the second period, scoring seven of his 16 to help cut the gap to seven at halftime.</p><p>Chen Yingjun was the lone bright spot for Chinese Taipei with 14 points and five rebounds, but he received little support as the hosts faltered under Strong Group&#x27;s full-court pressure and halfcourt traps.</p><p>The Philippine-based squad will try to build on the momentum when it returns to action against Japan Developmental Team on Monday at 5:00 p.m., still at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;ll enjoy this win for a few hours,&quot; Tiu said, &quot;but then it&#x27;s back to business. There&#x27;s still a long way to go in this tournament.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><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/nQ0ckJS0VX0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Strong Group-Philippines leaned on an explosive third quarter to overcome Chinese Taipei Blue, 67-56, for a triumphant start to their title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup, Sunday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.</p>

Strong Group-Philippines leaned on an explosive third quarter to overcome Chinese Taipei Blue, 67-56, for a triumphant start to their title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup, Sunday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

Jones Cup: Strong Group-PH shakes off slow start to take down Chinese Taipei Blue

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Jones Cup: Strong Group-PH shakes off slow start to take down Chinese Taipei Blue

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 13, 2025 11:22 PM PHT

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