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Category: Basketball

  • William Navarro keeps PBA door open as future remains uncertain 

    William Navarro keeps PBA door open as future remains uncertain 

    William Navarro is not closing the door on a PBA return, even as his basketball future in the league remains largely out of his hands.

     

    The 29-year-old forward remains hopeful that he can once again play in the PBA, but knows that any comeback will depend on the league’s decision regarding the three-year ban imposed on him.

     

    “Hopefully, why not,” Navarro said during Strong Group Athletics’ media day ahead of the 45th William Jones Cup. “Naka-ban ako, eh. If tanggalin nila ‘yun, babalik ako.”

     

     

    Navarro was among the players sanctioned by the PBA after turning down a contract offer from his mother team and choosing to continue his career overseas.

     

    The former Ateneo standout declined a renewal from Magnolia before moving to South Korea, where he helped KCC Egis win a championship. He later parted ways with the club just weeks after their title triumph.

     

    His PBA playing rights have since changed hands, with Magnolia trading them to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers for Arvin Tolentino.

     

    For now, though, Navarro can only wait for the league to make its next move.

     

    “We’re just waiting for what they’re [PBA] gonna say,” Navarro said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

     

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    Rather than allow the uncertainty surrounding his PBA status to become a distraction, Navarro has chosen to put his attention on the opportunity immediately in front of him.

     

    That means helping Strong Group-Pilipinas defend its Jones Cup crown and chase a third consecutive championship in the prestigious tournament.

     

    “I’m just very grateful for the opportunity kasi ‘di naman lahat nakaka-experience niyan,” he said.

    For Navarro, the Jones Cup provides more than another competition. It gives him a chance to stay sharp, contribute to a talented national selection and continue proving what he can bring on the court while his next chapter remains unclear.

     

    “I’m just going to prepare for this moment. Whatever happens in the future, wala pa. After nito, I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

     

    For now, Navarro’s focus is simple: play, compete and make the most of the opportunity in front of him.

     

    Whatever comes after the Jones Cup — including a possible return to the PBA — will have to wait.

     

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  • Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick could barely celebrate NLEX’s latest victory.

     

    The Road Warriors had just beaten TNT for the second time in as many weeks, escaping with a thrilling 118-111 overtime win Tuesday at the Ynares Center–Antipolo to improve to 7-1 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    But for Bolick, the result was secondary after seeing DeQuan Jones go down with an apparent serious leg injury.

     

     

    Jones was stretchered off the court late in the third quarter following a collision with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, leaving NLEX without its import for the remainder of the game.

     

    And while the Road Warriors found a way to finish the job, Bolick admitted it was difficult to celebrate knowing what happened to one of the team’s biggest contributors.

     

    “Ang hirap mag celebrate, ang hirap makahanap ng import na di lang magaling, pero mabait eh.”

     

    Bolick’s next words showed just how highly NLEX values Jones.

     

    “Sya yung Justin Brownlee sa team namin.”

     

    For a player who has seen first-hand what a dominant import can mean to a PBA team, Bolick’s comparison carried plenty of weight.

     

    Jones has been at the heart of NLEX’s unbeaten run for most of the conference, providing the scoring, production and leadership that helped turn the Road Warriors into the early pace-setters in Group A.

     

    “Kaya nga kami 7-1, malaking part nun sya.”

     

    Still, NLEX showed Tuesday that it was capable of surviving without Jones.

     

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    Bolick delivered 27 points, including the Road Warriors’ final eight points in regulation. With NLEX facing elimination from the lead late in the fourth, he buried a clutch four-pointer over Rey Nambatac with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime.

     

    He then continued making plays in the extra period, picking off a Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson pass before setting up David Semerad for an open basket that gave NLEX a 118-111 lead.

     

    Ljay Gonzales also produced a career performance with 26 points and six rebounds, giving the Road Warriors another major boost when they needed it most.

     

    “Pero at the same time, kahit wala kaming import, lumaban kami.”

     

    That resilience may prove crucial moving forward.

     

    Jones finished with 23 points before suffering the injury, with early reports indicating a complete right lower-leg fracture and surgery potentially scheduled as early as Wednesday.

     

    NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag was visibly affected by the injury but praised his players for finding a way to finish the game.

     

    “My deepest prayers to DJ. More than the basketball player, it’s the person. It’s heartbreaking to see him go down, but I’m so proud of ouR guys,” Alapag said.

     

    The victory moved NLEX to 7-1 and further strengthened its grip on the top spot in Group A, but the Road Warriors could now face their biggest challenge of the conference yet.

     

    For Bolick, however, Tuesday’s game was less about another win over TNT and more about a teammate who has helped make their remarkable run possible.

     

    NLEX proved it could win without Jones.

     

    The bigger question is whether it can continue doing so if its import is forced to miss significant time.

     

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  • TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emotional after accidental collision injures NLEX import DeQuan Jones

    TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emotional after accidental collision injures NLEX import DeQuan Jones

    The NLEX Road Warriors continued their dominant run in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, but their latest victory came at a heavy cost.

     

    NLEX defeated the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-111, on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to further cement its status as one of the conference’s top teams. However, the Road Warriors’ impressive performance was overshadowed by a gruesome right leg injury suffered by import DeQuan Jones in the third quarter.

     

    Jones was having another productive outing for NLEX before the unfortunate incident with 7:27 remaining in the third period.

     

     

     

     

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    The veteran import landed awkwardly after a play and his right leg was inadvertently caught underneath him following a collision with TNT center Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Jones immediately went down in pain as players from both teams rushed toward him.

     

    Medical personnel quickly attended to Jones and placed him on a stretcher before carrying him out of the arena. He was subsequently transported to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation.

     

    The injury visibly affected players from both teams, particularly Ganuelas-Rosser, who was visibly emotional following the incident. The TNT big man appeared shaken by the collision and was later consoled by NLEX veteran Kevin Alas after the game.

     

    Ganuelas-Rosser stressed after the contest that the incident was purely accidental and expressed his concern for Jones, whom he said he deeply respects.

    “You don’t want to be labeled like a dirty player or that I did that on purpose. He is someone that I look up to, and he is someone that I have nothing but admiration for. And I don’t want anything like that to happen,” Ganuelas-Rosser said during the postgame press conference.

     

    The 32-year-old center also revealed that he and Jones had spoken before the game, describing the NLEX import as a friendly person away from the court.

     

    “DeQuan’s a nice import, good person, so I’m just hoping for the best. It’s part of the game, but it’s hard for that to happen,” Ganuelas-Rosser added.

     

    Jones had been one of NLEX’s most important players throughout the Governors’ Cup and was once again making his presence felt before the injury. He finished with 23 points, four rebounds and one assist, helping the Road Warriors maintain control of the game and eventually secure the seven-point victory.

     

    His absence in the second half left a noticeable void for NLEX, which had relied heavily on his scoring, athleticism and ability to create opportunities on both ends of the floor.

     

    Despite the emotional turn of events, the Road Warriors managed to hold off TNT and preserve their winning momentum. The victory further strengthened NLEX’s position at the top of the Governors’ Cup standings and underscored the team’s depth and resilience.

     

    But for the Road Warriors, the final buzzer was accompanied by concern rather than celebration.

    After the game, NLEX players gathered around the court and offered a prayer for Jones, a poignant scene that reflected the gravity of the injury and the close bond within the team.

     

    Jones’ condition and the extent of his injury are expected to become clearer following his medical evaluation. For NLEX, the immediate concern now shifts from its impressive winning streak to the health and recovery of its star import.

     

    The Road Warriors may have walked away with another crucial victory, but the night ultimately belonged to Jones—and to the hope that their standout import can make a full and speedy recovery.

     

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  • Magnolia seeks revenge as surging Hotshots meet Phoenix again 

    Magnolia seeks revenge as surging Hotshots meet Phoenix again 

    Magnolia has already learned what Phoenix can do.

     

    Now the Hotshots get a chance to show how much they have changed since that first meeting.

     

    The two Group B contenders collide again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, with Magnolia looking to erase the memory of its 86-98 defeat to the Fuel Masters in the conference opener.


    Phoenix entered the rematch in a different position.

     

    The Fuel Masters remain tied with Rain or Shine at the top of Group B at 4-2, but they have stumbled in two of their last three games, falling to the Elasto Painters, 98-105, before suffering a 100-106 loss to Blackwater.

     

    Magnolia, meanwhile, has gone in the opposite direction.

     

    After losing three of its first four games, including the opening-day setback against Phoenix, the Hotshots have finally found their rhythm. They enter Wednesday’s contest riding consecutive statement victories over Barangay Ginebra, 88-73, and Meralco, 105-88.

     

    Those wins have pulled Magnolia back into the playoff picture at 3-3, tied with Blackwater for third place and just half a game ahead of Ginebra.

     

    For coach LA Tenorio, the recent turnaround has been about treating every game like a playoff game.

     

    “The past three games, we’ve been really in a playoff mentality already. I challenged the players, my team, that this kind of games, ito ang magbibigay sa amin ng chance going to the next level,” Tenorio said after the victory over Meralco.

     

    The urgency is understandable.

     

    “Two more losses could have sent us packing,” he admitted.

     

    Magnolia’s response has been encouraging for Tenorio, particularly the way his players have embraced the system.

     

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    “What I really like about my team is how they responded to that challenge. They really responded well, not only in the games, but in practice… They’re really locked in, they’re buying in the system na gusto kong iparating sa team.”

     

    That buy-in will be tested against the same Phoenix team that exposed Magnolia’s weaknesses in their first encounter.

     

    The Fuel Masters took the opener behind a sensational debut from import BJ Johnson, who exploded for 34 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix recovered from a slow start before Johnson and Jason Perkins ignited a 7-1 fourth-quarter run that turned a 79-71 advantage into a more comfortable lead.

     

    This time, Magnolia knows exactly what it is facing.

     

    The Hotshots will have to find a way to slow Johnson while preventing Perkins from providing the same complementary production that helped Phoenix seize control late in the first meeting.

    But Phoenix also has questions of its own.

     

    After starting 4-0, the Fuel Masters have lost two of their last three games, giving Magnolia a chance to capitalize on the slight dip in momentum and climb further up the Group B standings.

    For Phoenix, Wednesday is an opportunity to prove its opening victory over Magnolia was more than just a strong start.

     

    For Magnolia, it is a chance to show that the team that walked off the court that night is no longer the same one taking the floor now.

     

    The first meeting belonged to Phoenix.

     

    This time, Magnolia wants the last word.

     

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  • Maverick Ahanmisi leads Terrafirma’s big escape, earns PBA Player of the Week

    Maverick Ahanmisi leads Terrafirma’s big escape, earns PBA Player of the Week

    Maverick Ahanmisi saved his best for the moment Terrafirma Dyip needed it most. 

     

    With the unbeaten NLEX Road Warriors threatening to hand Terrafirma another painful loss, the veteran guard helped spark a decisive late-game surge as the Dyip pulled off a 114-109 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

     

    The win did more than end NLEX’s perfect six-game start. It breathed new life into Terrafirma’s playoff campaign, lifting the Dyip to a 3-4 record and into a share of fourth place in Group A with Converge FiberXers.

     

    Ahanmisi, helped orchestrate a 9-0 run in the final 2:07 to turn a five-point deficit into a statement victory.

     

    The veteran guard first found Geo Chiu for back-to-back assists, with a steal off Schonny Winston sandwiched between the two plays, allowing Terrafirma to erase NLEX’s advantage and tie the game at 109-all.

     

    Ahanmisi then made his impact felt on the other end as his defensive rebound created the opportunity for Brent Paraiso to bury the go-ahead basket with 1:09 remaining, putting Terrafirma in front for good.

     

    Paraiso followed with a big offensive rebound and two free throws, while Ahanmisi added a split from the line as the Dyip finally closed out a game that had been slipping away in similar situations throughout the conference.

     

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    The victory was especially satisfying after Terrafirma suffered a narrow 100-101 defeat to NLEX in Round 1.

     

    Ahanmisi finished the game with 16 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and three steals, a stat line that reflected his influence on both ends of the floor.

     

    His performance earned him the PBA Player of the Week award for Aug. 4 to 8, beating out Magnolia’s Jerom Lastimosa, Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield, teammate Paraiso, and San Miguel’s Don Trollano for the weekly honor.

     

    “I think it’s a learning process. Credit to the team for showing character and to the coaches, they made us do a lot of situational stuff in practice and I think that helped us,” Ahanmisi said.

     

    The award also underlines how steady Ahanmisi has been throughout the Governors’ Cup. He is averaging 16 points, 6.57 rebounds, and 7.71 assists per game, giving Terrafirma a reliable veteran presence as it battles for a place in the playoffs.

     

    More importantly, his latest performance came when the Dyip needed it most. Instead of allowing another close game to slip away, Terrafirma turned its late-game execution into the difference against the conference’s previously unbeaten team.

     

    Now, Ahanmisi and the Dyip have another crucial test, as they face the Converge FiberXers on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center, with both teams carrying identical 3-4 records in Group A.

     

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  • Bennie Boatwright ruled out of Asian Games as Gilas Pilipinas suffers major blow

    Bennie Boatwright ruled out of Asian Games as Gilas Pilipinas suffers major blow

    Gilas Pilipinas has suffered a major blow ahead of the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, with head coach Tim Cone confirming that naturalization prospect Bennie Boatwright will miss the tournament.

     

    Cone made the announcement during an appearance on Power and Play, the sports program hosted by former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala, revealing that Boatwright will not receive his Philippine naturalization papers in time for the Asian Games.

     

    “Bennie is out there, he won’t be able to play in either tournament,” Cone said.

     

     

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    The 30-year-old forward could also miss the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines are scheduled to host Jordan and Iraq in August.

     

    “There is a slight possibility he could play in the window, the FIBA tournament with Iran and Jordan,” Cone said.

    “The Asian Games is obviously the tournament in Japan but Bennie won’t be available because his papers didn’t come in time. Japan has stricken him in the list. But there is a slight possibility he can make it for the window.”

     

    While Boatwright’s absence is a setback, Cone received some positive news regarding another key piece of the Gilas lineup.

     

    Naturalized star Justin Brownlee is expected to suit up for both the FIBA window and the Asian Games, provided he is fully healthy by then.

     

    “We expect Justin to play on that. Assuming he is 100 percent. By that time, so basically, Justin for the FIBA window, and Justin for the Asian Games,” Cone said.

     

    Brownlee’s availability will be closely monitored after the veteran forward dealt with several injuries in recent months, including issues involving his knee, leg and hamstring that have limited his playing time for Gilas.

     

    Cone will have to manage two different Gilas squads for the two competitions, with Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao unavailable for the Asian Games because of their commitments to clubs in Japan and South Korea.

     

    Despite the personnel challenges, the Philippines will enter the Asian Games as the defending champions after ending a 57-year wait for the men’s basketball gold medal with their triumph at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

     

    With Boatwright out and several key players unavailable, Cone will now have to find the right combination to defend the Philippines’ Asian Games crown in Nagoya.

     

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  • Burke Toews ready to build Gilas Pilipinas Women into Asian powerhouse

    Burke Toews ready to build Gilas Pilipinas Women into Asian powerhouse

    Veteran coach Burke Toews has taken the reins of the Philippine women’s national basketball team, with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) hoping his experience can help elevate the country’s program into one of Asia’s best.

     

    Toews arrives in the Philippines after more than a decade of building one of Japan’s premier women’s basketball programs. He most recently led the Fujitsu Red Wave to back-to-back titles before accepting the Gilas Pilipinas Women head coaching job.

     

    The 60-year-old coach said he took on the challenge because he believes there is more he wants to accomplish in the latter stages of his career—beyond simply adding more championships to his résumé.

     

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    “I really felt strongly that at this stage in my career, I still had some personal goals that were more than just championships,” Toews said in a recent media session.

     

    Toews believes Gilas Pilipinas Women have the potential to become one of Asia’s elite teams, but he stressed that his approach will not be a carbon copy of what he built in Japan.

    While he plans to draw from his extensive experience in the Japanese basketball system, Toews said the Philippines must develop its own identity around the strengths of its players.

     

    “We are using them, I won’t say as a blueprint. I don’t want to say that we can just bring what Japan does to the Filipino national team. You should not copy someone completely because you lose the essence of the players that you are coaching and what they do well,” Toews said.

     

    “I thought that the Philippines women’s had a really high ceiling. Not just because of what happened in the last few years with coach Pat Aquino and the success they had, but if things could be changed, not just on the court, but off the court, I thought that the Philippines could really get to the top tier and be a perennial contender.”

     

    Toews’ first major test will come in the upcoming FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he will have several of the Philippines’ top talents at his disposal.

     

    Among the potential standouts are Gilas star Jack Animam, former NCAA Division I player Vanessa de Jesus and multiple-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa.

     

    For Toews, however, the goal extends beyond the immediate results. He wants to establish a clear identity for Gilas Pilipinas Women and build a sustainable program capable of competing at the highest level in Asia year after year.

     

    “We want to win while we are learning,” Toews said.

     

    With a proven track record in Japan and a strong belief in the Philippines’ potential, Toews now begins the task of turning Gilas Pilipinas Women into a consistent force on the Asian basketball stage.

     

     

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  • Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

    Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

     

    Converge is hoping Cameron Clark can be the reset button it needs.

     

    After opening the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup with three straight wins, the FiberXers have watched their promising start unravel into four consecutive defeats, leaving them searching for a spark with the group stage entering a crucial stretch.

     

    That search brings Clark back to the PBA.

     

    The veteran import is expected to make his Converge debut against Terrafirma Dyip on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, immediately stepping into a situation where every win has become increasingly valuable.

     

    Clark replaces Jamaal Franklin, who was unable to reverse Converge’s slide during his second stint with the team.

     

    Franklin produced impressive numbers, averaging 27.3 points per game over three appearances, but Converge failed to win any of those contests. His departure highlights the FiberXers’ growing urgency to find an import who can turn individual production into team success.

     

    Clark becomes Converge’s third import of the conference — a sign of how quickly the team has been forced to adjust after its unbeaten opening run.

     

    The 33-year-old, however, does not need an introduction to the league.

     

    Clark previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors during the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup before returning with the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023 Governors’ Cup. His most recent PBA experience came with guest team Hong Kong Eastern during the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    That familiarity could prove valuable for a Converge squad that needs immediate results rather than another lengthy adjustment period.

     

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    Clark will also have little time to settle in.

     

    Converge and Terrafirma enter Tuesday’s matchup with identical 3-4 records in Group A, making the game an important opportunity for either side to move away from the crowded middle of the standings.

     

    For the FiberXers, the timing could not be more critical.

     

    With the PBA set for a lengthy break due to the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers and Asian Games, Converge has one more chance to build momentum before the competition pauses.

     

    Four straight losses have erased much of the cushion created by the team’s 3-0 start.

     

    Now, Converge is banking on a familiar face to help change the direction of its season.

     

    Clark’s arrival does not guarantee an immediate turnaround, but Tuesday’s matchup will provide the first indication of whether the veteran import can become the missing piece the FiberXers have been looking for.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will enter the 2026 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship with a different look and a much bigger prize in sight.

     

    Five new players have been brought into the Philippine lineup for the continental tournament, adding fresh size, versatility, and international experience to a core that helped the country dominate the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June.

     

    Among the newcomers are 6-foot-7 Filipino-American Elias Gish of Far Eastern University, 6-foot-5 Filipino-Canadian Aidan Dayco-Green, 6-foot-7 Ateneo big man Jacob Lacson, 5-foot-11 Filipino-Australian Luke Atacador, and 6-foot-2 University of Perpetual Help guard Sizco Roquid.

     Their inclusion gives head coach Juno Sauler additional options as the Philippines prepares for a significantly tougher test at the Asian level.

     

    The five will join seven players who were part of the SEABA squad: Prince Carino, Ethan Aguas, JB Cagurungan, Andrew Chio, Chog Moral, Pat Pasinos, and Bruce Tubongbanua.

     

    This is essentially the same group that secured the Philippines’ place in the Asia Cup after sweeping the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June. The challenge now, however, is no longer simply about winning a regional competition. The young Filipinos will have to navigate a group that includes one of the continent’s perennial powerhouses.

     

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    The Philippines is drawn in Group A with Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand, setting up a demanding opening stretch.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will begin their campaign on August 13 against Chinese Taipei, before facing Australia on August 15. They will close out the group stage against Thailand on August 17.

     

    The format makes every group game important. The team that finishes first in each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams will need to survive the play-in round to reach the last eight.

     

    Beyond advancing in the tournament, there is an even bigger incentive as the top four finishers will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Pardubice, Czech Republic, giving the Philippine squad a chance to turn a strong Asian Championship run into a ticket to the global stage.

     

    The roster changes also mark a significant transition from the Philippine team that competed in the previous continental tournament. Five players, Ziv Espinas, Kyle Sardon, Hans Patagoc, Louis Razon, and SEABA qualifiers MVP Joaquin Tovera will no longer be part of the current lineup.

     

    That leaves Sauler and his staff tasked with blending the returning players with a new group quickly, particularly with Australia looming as the toughest opponent in the group.

     

    The Philippines will also be looking to improve on its most recent showing in the competition. In the previous edition, the team, then coached by Josh Reyes, finished 10th with a 1-3 record.

     

    The tournament runs from August 13 to 23 in Ahmedabad, India, and for this new-look Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad, the opening games could determine whether the team settles for another continental campaign or pushes deep enough to secure a place among Asia’s best and punch its ticket to the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. 

     

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  • Boban Marjanovic puts team before role in Strong Group Jones Cup title chase 

    Boban Marjanovic puts team before role in Strong Group Jones Cup title chase 

     For Boban Marjanovic, there is no need to know exactly how many minutes he will play or how many touches will come his way.

     

    The towering Serbian center already knows what matters most.

     

    Whatever Strong Group Athletics needs from him, Marjanovic is ready to provide as the team prepares for its Jones Cup title defense, with the veteran big man embracing a role that could change from game to game.

     

    “What coach (Charles Tiu) says, if this is what kind of role, I’ll take it. We need to be a team. What the coach has on his mind, we’re supposed to get done,” said the 7-foot-4 slotman, showcasing the consummate professionalism that helped him carve out a nine-year NBA career.

     

    “Sometimes it’s really not easy, but we’re a team, and we’re supposed to handle this together. Nothing easy in this sport. Nothing easy to win something. Nothing easy to compare. Nothing easy to go every night and play the best you can.”

     

    At 37, Marjanovic arrives with a wealth of experience and is expected to provide a major presence in the paint as Strong Group Athletics looks to win the Jones Cup for the third consecutive time.

     

    He will have help inside from Malick Diouf and Allen Liwag, giving Charles Tiu plenty of options in the frontcourt as the team looks to blend its different pieces into one championship unit.

     

    Despite having less than a week of practice with his new teammates, Marjanovic has already been impressed by the group.

     

    “You know, to be honest, they impressed me, everybody. Because basketball is something when they’re circling around. It’s not more like bad players. It’s just like players who want to work but don’t want to work. It’s like all over the world, it’s so worldwide,” said the Serbian national team veteran.

     

    “Basketball has become a global sport, and you cannot underestimate nobody. It’s just a sport like that, and I’m so happy with all my teammates.”

     

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    That global perspective is something Marjanovic brings naturally after spending years competing at the highest levels of basketball.

     

    Now, he is looking to use that experience to help Strong Group Athletics extend its Jones Cup reign. But winning is not the only item on his checklist.

     

    “Of course, we come here to win tournaments. That’s the first goal. And of course, second, to have fun. And of course, third, to meet friends. That’s like three goals that I have right now. For sure, they have so many, but these are the main three ones that I have right now,” said Marjanovic.

     

    His first visit to the Philippines has also given him plenty to enjoy away from the court.

     

    “I love it. So far, I’m enjoying. First time in the Philippines and I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “It’s great. Too much rain, but everything else — food, people, place, basketball, my teammates, everybody — I really enjoy it,” he said.

     

    The Filipino reception has been particularly memorable for the NBA veteran, who said the attention has followed him beyond the basketball court.

     

    “I get a lot of messages, I get a lot of love, outside — not just on the court, outside like on the street, in the mall. Almost everybody knows my name. Really big love from me, and for all this respect. That means I do a great job on and off the court, and I really respect them. A lot of love for them.”

     

    For now, Marjanovic’s focus is simple: fit into Tiu’s system, help his teammates and chase another championship.

     

    His role may not be defined yet, but his purpose is already clear.

     

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