Strong Group Athletics (SGA) head coach Charles Tiu has high hopes for recruits Javi Gomez de Liaño and Ian Miller as they prepare for the 44th William Jones Cup from 12 to 20 July at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.

Tiu, who also calls the shots for the College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, said he and Gomez de Liaño need no introduction as they were part of the 2019 Dubai International Basketball Tournament squad that went home with a bronze medal.

Gomez de Liaño last played for the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters in the Korean Basketball League.

“Javi and I go way back. He played for me during the 2019 Dubai tournament with Mighty Sports, so it’s great to reunite with him,” Tiu said.

“I know what he brings to the table — toughness, shooting and professionalism.”

Gomez de Liano averaged 8.4 points along with 2.8 rebounds per game in his first season with Anyang.

“Javi and I go way back. He played for me during the 2019 Dubai tournament with Mighty Sports, so it’s great to reunite with him,” Tiu added.

SGA will be bannered by the likes of Kiefer Ravena, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, Ange Kouame, Geo Chiu, and reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag.

Imports Andre Roberson, Ian Miller and Tajuan Agee are also expected to add the much-needed firepower as SGA guns for back-to-back titles.

Tiu said Miller’s experience with the Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia will help them in their title retention bid.

Miller led the Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos to a bronze medal finish in the BCL Asia and was named part of the All-Star Five with DJ Newbill and Finn Delany of Utsunomiya Brex and Hayk Gyokchyan and former National Basketball Association player Thon Maker of Al Riyadi.

He is coming off an impressive run in BCL Asia, so we’re excited to bring that firepower to our backcourt,” Tiu said.