Strong Group folds vs Korean squad in Jones Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of the start of their three-peat bid in the William Jones Cup, Strong Group Athletics head coach Charles Tiu said they are expecting a much tougher road this time around.

As they kicked off their campaign on Friday, it sure looked like it.

SGA absorbed a massive wake-up call of a loss against Korean team Wonju DB Promy, 110-79, Friday afternoon at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan. 

The Korean squad rained down 17 3-pointers in the game to grab the dominant victory.

Wonju started off the game waxing hot, jumping to a double digit lead as early as the first quarter and did not look back.

The Philippine-based team could not mount a comeback as it simply fell flat. 

The lead grew to as much as 33 points, 82-59, after a triple by Rayshaun Hammonds.

Tajuan Agee paced SGA with 21 points, to go with 10 rebounds, three assists and a steal. Isaiah Pineiro added 13, while Malick Diouf had 10 in the loss. William Navarro added eight points, while Titing Manalili and DJ Fenner had seven each.

This is the first loss of SGA in its three years of participation in the tournament.

The squad will take on Japan next on Saturday, 3 p.m., at the same venue.