Strong Group-Pilipinas may have fallen short of a third consecutive William Jones Cup championship, but its 2026 campaign ended with a different kind of victory — one built on resilience, controversy and a growing fan base that refused to stop cheering.
The Philippine-backed squad finished fifth after defeating Jordan, 96-91, closing a tournament run that became less about the trophy and more about how the team responded after an unusual format shut the door on its title defense.
Strong Group completed the group stage with an impressive 5-1 record, a mark that would normally suggest a deep postseason run. Instead, the team was eliminated from semifinal contention because of the competition’s format and quotient system.
The outcome left head coach Charles Tiu and his players frustrated, especially after putting together one of the strongest records in the field.
But rather than allowing the disappointment to define its campaign, Strong Group chose to highlight another part of the experience.
“Three-peat denied. But the support? Three times stronger,” the team said in a social media post following its final game.
That support was impossible to ignore.
Filipino fans followed the team throughout the tournament, while Strong Group also gained new supporters in Taiwan. The atmosphere gave the squad a sense of playing in familiar territory despite competing away from home.
“To our Filipino and newfound Taiwanese fans, thank you for making every game feel like home,” the team said.
On the court, Strong Group still made sure to end its campaign on a winning note.
Former NBA center Boban Marjanović led the victory over Jordan with 21 points and eight rebounds, providing the interior presence that had made him one of the team’s biggest weapons throughout the tournament.
Tajuan Agee added 17 points, while Matthew Wright and Ian Miller contributed 15 apiece as Strong Group secured one final victory before leaving Taiwan.
The result did not change the final standings, but it allowed the team to finish its campaign showing the same competitive spirit that carried it to a 5-1 record in the preliminary round.
“We may not have gotten the ending we wanted, but we’re proud of how this team fought until the end,” Strong Group said.
The disappointment was particularly difficult to swallow because Strong Group entered the tournament chasing history.
After winning the previous two editions, the team arrived in Taiwan hoping to complete a rare three-peat and further strengthen its reputation in the international invitational tournament.
Instead, its title defense ended before the semifinals despite losing only once.
The unusual circumstances surrounding Strong Group’s exit inevitably became one of the biggest talking points of the tournament. But the team has chosen to carry something else home — the connection it built with supporters both in the Philippines and abroad.
For Strong Group, that may ultimately become the most enduring part of its 2026 Jones Cup campaign.
The trophy stayed behind, but the team’s following grew larger.
“Maraming salamat for believing in Strong Group,” the team said. “We’re always stronger together.”
Chinese Taipei-Blue will face UC Irvine in one semifinal, while Wonju DB Promy battles Chinese Taipei-White for the other spot in the championship game.