Strong Group Athletics (SGA) will retain some of its core from its title-winning William Jones Cup campaign for the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship, scheduled from 24 January to 2 February.

Head coach Charles Tiu told DAILY TRIBUNE that the squad will begin its preparations on Friday as it looks to redeem itself from last year’s heartbreak.

He also said that former National Basketball Association player DeMarcus Cousins will be joining their practices in a later date.

SGA made it to the final last year but suffered a 74-77 loss to Al-Riyadi of Lebanon.

“We start on Friday. Cousins will come in a few days late,” Tiu said.

Tiu, also the head coach of the College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), said Rhenz Abando and Ildefonso answered the call for them to represent the country.

“Anytime they want to play for the country. It was easy to convince them,” Tiu said.

Also returning for SGA are College of Saint Benilde stars Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot and NCAA Season 100 Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag.

SGA will not only rely on its experience in last year’s Dubai tilt but also on its championship run in the Jones Cup.

The squad, led by former San Miguel Beer import Chris McCullough and Gilas Pilipinas veterans Jordan Heading and Kiefer Ravena, won all eight games to break the country’s five-year title drought.

Also beefing up Tiu’s think tank is De La Salle University mentor Topex Robinson and Zoran Martic of Slovenia.

Martic led the Chiba Jets to a Japan B.League title in the 2020-2021 season after beating Utsunomiya Brex in a best-of-three series and won the Slovenian Basketball Cup last year with Cedevita Olimpija.

“Just coach Topex will join me again and my good friend Zoran Martic,” Tiu said.