Strong Group-Pilipinas is bracing for a tough title defense in the 2025 William Jones Cup amid the short time to prepare and the improvement of the teams competing in the tournament.

Head coach Charles Tiu said he remains confident with their squad, as they run it back with most of their championship core.

Strong Group will first be tested against Chinese-Taipei A on Sunday, July 13.

“I wish we had an extra game to prepare for them [Chinese-Taipei]. They had a little bit of a warm-up game. But we followed them, we saw how they played Gilas. They’ve really improved so much and home court pa nila so syempre big factor. But their core is solid. They’ve been improving, they’ve been playing together for a year, and I’m expecting a tougher game because they’re much better than when we played them last year,” he told reporters during their open practice.

Tiu emphasized the importance of bringing back the players that led them to the Jones Cup title last year in their quest for a repeat.

The squad is bringing back local standouts Kiefer Ravena, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, Angelo Kouame, Geo Chiu and reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag.

Brickman and Abando also expressed confidence in the team, especially in their first game against Chinese-Taipei A.

Ildefonso, for his part, is grateful for another opportunity to play for Strong Group under Tiu.

The team will be missing the services of Ravena in the first two games due to prior commitments.

The Strong Group-Pilipinas head coach believes Brickman and Ulaanbaatar Xac guard Ian Miller are ready to step up during Ravena’s absence.

Brickman said he’s always ready to step up especially during Ravena’s absence.

Ravena also expressed confidence the team can hold the fort in his absence. (ABS-CBN News)