Dave Ildefonso beefs up star-studded Strong Group Athletics squad in Jones Cup

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Strong Group isn’t done searching for the available big names in their quest for a championship title for the upcoming 43rd William Jones Cup basketball tournament in Taipei, Taiwan.

After signing Ange Kouame, Jordan Heading, Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, and RJ Abarrientos, Strong Group added another collegiate superstar and confirmed the addition of former Ateneo Blue Eagles superstar Dave Ildefonso.

Ildefonso is coming off a Korean Basketball League (KBL) stint with Suwon KT and is looking to bring more international hoops experience to Strong Group.

He will also have the chance to reunite with his former teammate in Ateneo, Kouame, where they won a UAAP title together during their active college playing years.

“Representing the country is always a privilege, and I intend to make the most of an opportunity like this. I’m really excited to be on the same team with Ange again,” said Ildefonso.

A bruising small forward who can also guard the four and five position due to his size and agility, Ildefonso can make a living in exposing mismatches in the post and the perimeter.

With the system that head coach Charles Tiu deploys in Strong Group, Ildefonso will surely benefit and get touches whenever he is open in the post and the wings.

Aside from the top Filipino stars, Strong Group will be also reinforced by three of the biggest NCAA hoops stars, Tony Ynot, Allen Liwag, and Jonathan Manalili.

Ynot and Liwag are teammates at the College of Saint Benilde while Manalili is a young point guard from Letran who helped them win their high school title several months ago.

Completing the squad for the Jones Cup are DJ Fenner, Chris McCollough, Caelan Tiongson, and Tajuan Agee.