After revealing that former NBA center Boban Marjanović will be one of its imports for the 45th William Jones Cup, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) has now announced eight more players who will represent the Philippines in the tournament.
Returning to the team this year are six players who played vital roles in SGA’s back-to-back William Jones Cup championships.
Dave Ildefonso, DJ Fenner, Angelo Kouame, Tajuan Agee, and young standouts Allen Liwag and Titing Manalili are once again set to suit up for the blue and white under head coach Charles Tiu.
Agee remains one of the squad’s most reliable players after serving as a key figure in both championship campaigns. During last year’s tournament, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Ildefonso and Fenner, who are playing for the Abra Solid North in the MPBL, also continue to be vital pieces of the team’s success. Ildefonso averaged 8.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steal per contest in the previous edition, while Fenner contributed 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
The 6-foot-11 Kouame also returns after appearing in four games during the tournament’s 44th edition and is expected to help Marjanović in the frontcourt.
Completing the returning core are collegiate standouts Allen Liwag of the Benilde Blazers and Titing Manalili of the Letran Knights, who are expected to provide energy and depth as two of the team’s rising young talents.
Liwag is the NCAA Season 101 Most Valuable Player, while Manalili was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.
Will Navarro and Shaun Ildefonso Join SGA
Joining SGA for the first time are Will Navarro and Shaun Ildefonso.
Navarro most recently played for the Busan KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). The former PBA player was part of the club’s 2025–26 championship-winning squad before being released last May.
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21 games. His international experience at the forward position should provide a significant boost to SGA, especially with Agee currently serving as the team’s most versatile forward.
Shaun, meanwhile, joins his younger brother Dave on the squad. The bruising guard-forward is teammates with Fenner and his older brother at Abra.
In 17 games this ongoing season of the MPBL, he has averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 17.7 minutes per game. With his size and physical style of play, he could provide a spark off the bench and make valuable contributions as a role player.
With nine players now confirmed for the SGA roster, expectations are growing that more big names could still be added to the lineup.
Perhaps another former NBA player or a former PBA import could join coach Charles Tiu’s squad as SGA pursues its third consecutive William Jones Cup championship.
