SBP partners with SGA to Support its 3x3 Women teams

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas x Strong Group Athletics

Seeking to continue its progress in women's 3x3 basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have entered into a partnership with sports patron Strong Group Athletics.

Sealed last week, the SBP-SGA partnership sees the latter help with regards to preparations towards the Gilas Women's 3x3 competitions later this year, both in the senior and U23 levels.

Executive Director Erika Dy says of the partnership, "We’re happy for the support of Strong Group Athletics. They’ve been an ally in promoting and supporting women’s sports and we’re looking forward to providing our Filipina ballers the training and competition they need to reach their full potential."

From SGA's perspective, President Jacob Lao shares, "At Strong Group Athletics, we believe in the power of collaboration to elevate Philippine basketball. Partnering with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is a step towards fostering growth at every level—developing young talent, supporting our national teams, and strengthening the foundation of the sport we love."

The former Ateneo student-athlete adds, "Strong Group is fully committed to this cause, supporting the SBP in its mission, including helping women's basketball reach greater heights with the ultimate goal of making it to the Olympics."

With an eye towards the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup and the Southeast Asian Games, Gilas Women are coming off two podium finishes in recent competitions.

The quartet of Mikka Cacho, Camille Clarin, Jhazmin Joson, and Hazelle Yam, they made it to the semifinals of the third edition of Manila Hustle 3x3. Kaye Pingol, who was playing for her club side Uratex Dream in this competition, replaced Yam for the Season 2 edition of Jumpshot 3x3 in Singapore.

Cacho, Clarin, Joson, and Pingol are slated to be the Gilas Women quartet slated to participate in the Got Game 3x3 competitions scheduled this weekend at the UP Community Court.

As for the U23 team, who also competed in Manila Hustle and earned an eleventh place finish, they are slated to participation in the 2025 edition of the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League in a couple of months.

Strong Group taps Jordan Heading and Caelan Tiongson for Jones Cup

Strong Group has found its first set of players for its upcoming participation at the 43rd William Jones Cup.

The group announced on Saturday that it has snapped up Jordan Heading and Caelan Tiongson for the upcoming campaign, scheduled to take place in July at Taipei.

Heading is back with the Athletics, having played with them during the Dubai International Basketball Championship earlier this year.

The 6'2 sniper averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in his stint there, helping the team finish second.

Currently based in Australia, playing with West Adelaide in NBL1 Central, Jordan is averaging 19.14 points on 46.81% shooting, while also averaging 3.43 rebounds and 4.14 assists.

Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu says about the Heading signing, "Jordan was an automatic choice for me once I found out he'd be available to play. We loved how he played for us in Dubai, and now he gets to go back to his original shooting guard spot to complement our point guards."

Tiongson, on the other hand, averaged a near double-double for Taoyuan in the T1 League a couple of seasons ago, averaging 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds for the Leopards in nineteen games back in the 2021-22 season.

According to Tiu, the Jones Cup stint would be a good audition for Tiongson to showcase himself. He shares, "I’ve been in touch with Caelan for a while, helping him figure out his next moves before joining the PBA Draft. We figured this would be a great opportunity for him to remind people how good he is."

He adds about the 32-year-old, "He's a hard worker, tough and competitive, who is versatile and can play multiple positions, defend, and rebound very well. I think he will be a huge asset for our team."

Strong Group hopes to give the Philippines its seventh Jones Cup title, with the last title coming in 2019 with Mighty Sports.