The Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), organizers of the William Jones Cup, has admitted that the Philippines, represented by Strong Group Athletics (SGA), could be the biggest casualty of the tournament’s new format.
As of this writing, Strong Group is tied with South Korea’s Wonju DB Promy with identical 4-1 records and each team having a game left. Under conventional tournament formats, both the Philippines and South Korea would advance to the semis as the top two teams of Group A. However, under this tournament’s new rule—purportedly announced by the CTBA only at the start of the competition—Chinese Taipei Blue, one of the host’s two teams, is automatically seeded to the final four. In effect, only one semis berth is at stake in Group A.
That means Strong Group will need to beat Chinese Taipei Blue once again and hope that Japan somehow beats Wonju to finish with the better record. Otherwise, the South Korean side will advance by virtue of a superior +5 quotient after beating SGA by 31 on opening day. Strong Group got back at Wonju on Wednesday, but only beat them by 26.
CTBA Admits New Jones Cup Format Impacts SGA Most
On Thursday, the CTBA acknowledged that the format, which obviously favors the host team, is detrimental to the Philippines’ bid for a three-peat.
“SGA, the two-time champion from the Philippines that was placed in the same group as Chinese Taipei Blue, may have been the biggest victim of this year’s new format,” the CTBA said in a statement. “Despite having a better record, SGA could not advance because of the tournament format.”
Strong Group won’t just finish with the better record than Chinese Taipei Blue. At the very least, it will have two more victories than the host team—or even clear it by three victories in case SGA wins the rematch later today.
Better Luck in Next Year’s Jones Cup
While the CTBA clearly sees the flaw in the new Jones Cup format, it will still stick to it and grant an obviously inferior team safe passage to the final four, which should comprise the four best remaining teams in a tournament. It did, however, promise to review and improve the format for the next edition.
“The association humbly accepts the feedback and criticism from all parties and will review and improve the tournament format and scheduling for next year,” the CTBA further said.
Meaning, unless Japan chalks up a miracle victory over Wonju, Strong Group’s bid for a third straight Jones Cup title will end on some unabashed home cooking.
