Strong Group Athletics (SGA) threw its defensive blanket in the second half to pull off a 67-56 win over Chinese Taipei-A in the opening salvo of the 44th William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.

SGA head coach Charles Tiu said they tightened up their defensive screws to stifle the Taiwanese gunners that kicked off their title-retention campaign on a high note.

Aside from winning over the team-to-beat in this international tourney, the victory also allowed the Filipino club owned by businessman Frank Lao to avenge the 84-91 loss that Gilas Pilipinas suffered at the hands of the Taiwanese in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last February.

SGA is playing the Japan developmental team at press time.

“We knew they’d come out aggressive. It’s their home floor and they’re the national team,” Tiu, who used to serve as Gilas assistant coach under the mentorship of Serbian Rajko Toroman, said.

“We prepared for them. We wanted to get back at them for beating Gilas. That stuck with us.”

Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson was impressive, dropping a double-double game of 17 points and 19 rebounds that left the home squad groping for form.

More than that, Roberson’s defense in the second half paved the SGA to wage a strong 21-0 rally in the third quarter that gave them a 37-35 lead that allowed them to dictate the tempo the rest of the way.

Despite a rough shooting night, Ian Miller managed 16 points on a 5-of-17 clip to go along with three assists and two rebounds while Rhenz Abando scattered 11 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

“He (Roberson) was incredible. His energy really lifted the whole team in that third quarter,” Tiu said.

“We were flying around, rotating on defense, just doing everything right. That’s the kind of effort we need every single game.”

Since joining the prestigious invitational event, no Filipino club had ever won back-to-back titles.

Aside from SGA, other Filipino teams who won a Jones Cup crown were Northern Cement in 1981, San Miguel Beer in 1985, the Philippine Centennial Team in 1998, Gilas Pilipinas in 2012, and Mighty Sports in 2016 and 2019.

Still, Tiu knows they need to keep adjusting if they want to become the first ever local team to defend the title.

“Our offense is a work in progress. We’ll figure it out as we play more together,” Tiu said.

Chen Yingjun was the lone double-digit scorer for the home squad with 14 points to go along with five rebounds.