Sponsorship Speech on Senate Resolution No. 1075 commending and congratulating Strong Group-Pilipinas Basketball Team for winning the championship in the 43rd William Jones Cup Men’s Event

PS Res. No. 1075: Resolution commending and congratulating Strong Group-Pilipinas Basketball Team for winning the championship title in the 43rd William Jones Cup Men’s Event held from 13 To 21 July 2024 in Taiwan

Mr. President, this representation is honored to sponsor the Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1075 commending and congratulating Strong Group-Pilipinas Basketball team for winning the championship title in the 43rd William Jones Cup Men’s Event held from July 13 to 21 2024 in Taiwan. 

We, Filipinos, including this representation, embraced basketball as our national past time. Sa bawat kanto at maliit na kalsada sa buong bansa, mayroong basketball court o koponang naglalaro nito. Para sa maraming kabataan, basketball ang unang sport na kanilang natututunan. 

Kaya naman po, lubos na kasiyahan ang dulot ng pagkapanalo ng ating basketball teams sa international sports competitions. Sila po ay nagbigay ng karangalan para sa ating bansa, at ang kanilang tagumpay ay naging simbolo ng husay at galing ng manlalarong Pilipino. 

This representation wishes to congratulate Strong Group Pilipinas which is composed of the following players:

  1. Ange Kouame
  2. Kiefer Ravena
  3. Rhenz Abando
  4. Jordan Heading
  5. RJ Abarrientos
  6. Dave Ildefonso
  7. Geo Chiu
  8. Caelan Tiongson
  9. Allen Liwag
  10. Tony Ynot
  11. Jonathan Manalili
  12. DJ Fenner
  13. Chris McCullough and 
  14. Tajuan Agee;

and head coaches Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman and assistant coach Paulo Maligalig, for their successful undefeated 8-0 winning streak in the grueling 9-day Jones Cup tournament. 

The team managed to keep their perfect record despite at one point during the competition, losing three of their players due to illness and injuries, playing against defending champions, and in front of a hometown crowd. 

Ang kanilang pagkapanalo laban sa participating teams mula sa United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, Ukraine, Malaysia, Japan, Chinese Taipei at maging USA, na siyang may hawak ng pinakaraming kampeonato sa Jones Cup, ay patunay na kaya nating makipagsabayan sa pinakamagagaling na manlalaro sa mundo. 

Ito po ang ika-pitong championship title mula sa Jones Cup para sa Pilipinas, matapos nating mapanalunan ito noong 1981 mula sa Northern Cement team, 1985 courtesy of the San Miguel team, noong 1998 mula sa Philippine Centennial team, noong 2012 courtesy of Smart Gilas Pilipinas, at noong 2016 at 2019 mula sa Mighty Sports team. 

Their success secured the country’s standing as a basketball powerhouse and the second best performing team in Jones Cup history, next to USA. 

Maraming salamat, Team Philippines! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!

Thank you, Mr. President.