Strong Group Athletics (SGA) Pilipinas is about to get even stronger after acquiring nine-year NBA veteran Boban Marjanović in its pursuit of a third straight championship at the 45th William Jones Cup.
Marjanović will join a growing list of notable ex-NBA players whom SGA have recruited to play for the team in various tournaments. He joins ex-NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, former Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche, PBA champion import Chris McCullough, and one-time NBA defensive stalwart Andre Roberson. Howard, Roberson, and Blatched played for SGA in a tournament in Dubai in 2024.
Jacob Lao and Charles Tiu Explain the Marjanović Acquisition
According to SGA President Jacob Lao, the move was made in anticipation of other participating countries assembling formidable lineups—meaning the Philippines also needed to build the strongest roster possible to retain its title.
“We’re building the best team possible because we know this will be the toughest William Jones Cup yet,” said Lao. “Every participating country is expected to bring in quality lineups, so we want to make sure we’re prepared for that challenge. Bringing in a player like Boban gives us a tremendous presence on both ends of the floor, and we’re excited to have him represent Strong Group Pilipinas,” he added.
The 7-foot-4 Serbian has built an impressive career not only in the NBA and overseas but also as a key member of the Serbian national basketball team, most notably during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The 37-year-old is no stranger to short international competitions and understands what it takes to succeed in such tournaments.
Meanwhile, head coach Charles Tiu described the former Dallas Mavericks center as someone who will not only bring elite interior presence but also a positive personality that can keep his teammates loose and energized throughout the tournament.
“We’re excited to have Boban agree to play for us. We’ve had good talks—he’s in shape, serious about this tournament, and preparing back home even before he flies out here. We’ve already discussed basketball and our plans. He’s a great and funny guy too,” said Tiu.
Aside from the Mavericks, Marjanović also suited up for several NBA teams from 2015 to 2024, including the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets.
Can Another Former NBA Player Deliver a Championship?
This year, SGA has been drawn into Group A, where it will face Chinese Taipei Blue, Korea, and Japan in the preliminary round.
During its championship runs over the past two seasons, SGA also benefited from the presence of former NBA players Roberson and McCullough.
Now, with Boban Marjanović serving as the centerpiece of this year’s squad, it remains to be seen whether the team can once again rise to the top and capture another championship—especially with the rest of the roster yet to be officially revealed.
That said, the local players have consistently proven to be the team’s true X-factor.
In 2024, Kiefer Ravena was the standout performer in the championship game. Last year, it was Ravena once again, alongside Dave Ildefonso, who helped the Philippines complete a tournament sweep en route to back-to-back William Jones Cup titles.
With the tournament scheduled from August 8 to 23, Filipino basketball fans will once again have plenty to look forward to as Strong Group Athletics Philippines chases a historic third consecutive championship.
