John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Strong Group beats Jordan to end Jones Cup campaign

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787321402132781977053_122283523244156789_4004949702696267684_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Strong Group-Pilpinas at the 45th William Jones Cup. <em>Photo from SGA</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Strong Group-Pilpinas defeated Jordan, 96-91, for a fifth place finish in the 45th William Jones Cup, concluding the tournament on a winning note at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City on Friday.</p><p>The defending champions saw their campaign end outside the podium despite sporting a 5-1 record in the group phase—for a total of six wins now after their win over Jordan—as the tournament format granted Chinese Taipei-Blue (1-5) an automatic semis berth.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/21/strong-group-pilipinas-demolishes-chinese-taipei-blue-but-won-t-advance-to-jones-cup-semis-0028"><strong>READ: Strong Group-Pilipinas demolishes Chinese Taipei Blue, but won&#x27;t advance to Jones Cup semis<br/></strong></a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/19/strong-group-pilipinas-rolls-past-wonju-keeps-semis-hopes-alive-1750"><strong></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/19/strong-group-pilipinas-rolls-past-wonju-keeps-semis-hopes-alive-1750"><strong>READ: Strong Group-Pilipinas rolls past Wonju, keeps semis hopes alive</strong></a></div><p><strong></strong>It was a close fight between SGA and Jordan, as the Pinoy squad trailed 74-71 entering the final frame.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787321861647775307663_122283519848156789_1739796109959917039_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Strong Group-Pilipinas&#x27; Titing Manalili in action. <em>Photo from SGA</em></span></span></span></div><p>The key plays came for SGA, unleashing a 10-0 run midway through the fourth frame to tear down a slim 80-79 Jordan lead into a huge 89-80 cushion, capped by an Isaiah Pineiro and-one off a crafty pass from Titing Manalili. The Puerto Rican though missed his bonus trip to the foul line.</p><p>That advantage proved to be enough as Strong Group held off the Jordan side until the fourth quarter clock ran out, with Manalili even showing off his footwork and agility with a slick drive to the basket for a 94-85 SGA edge at the 1:41 mark.</p>

<p>Strong Group-Pilpinas defeated Jordan, 96-91, for a fifth place finish in the 45th William Jones Cup, concluding the tournament on a winning note at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.</p>

Strong Group-Pilpinas defeated Jordan, 96-91, for a fifth place finish in the 45th William Jones Cup, concluding the tournament on a winning note at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.