Strong Group-Pilipinas had a nightmarish start to its three-peat bid in the 45th Jones Cup after absorbing a 79-110 loss to Korean Basketball League (KBL) side Wonju DB Promy on Friday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.

The defeat snapped Strong Group’s 16-game winning streak in the tournament dating back to its Jones Cup debut in 2023, when the competition still used a single-round-robin format.

For this year’s edition, the eight teams were divided into two groups and a double round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.

Wonju immediately took control, racing to a 28-13 lead after the opening quarter and never looking back.

Rayshaun Hammonds led the KBL side with 25 points, while former KBL Most Valuable Player and Filipino-American Ethan Alvano added 21 points.

Hammonds also helped Wonju build its biggest lead at 33 points, 92-59, after drilling a three-pointer with 7:24 left in the fourth quarter.

Wonju buried 17 triples and dished out 30 assists as Strong Group struggled to keep pace throughout the game.

Tajuan Agee was the lone bright spot for Strong Group, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Puerto Rican forward Isaiah Piñeiro added 13 points.

Former National Basketball Association campaigner Boban Marjanovic had a forgettable Jones Cup debut, managing just six points and one rebound on 3-of-11 shooting.

Strong Group will look to bounce back against Japan on Saturday at 3 p.m. (Manila time) at the same venue.