Kouame, Abarrientos join Strong Group lineup for Jones Cup

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<p>MANILA -- Former UAAP stars Ange Kouame and RJ Abarrientos are the latest players to join the roster of Strong Group-Philippines for their campaign in the 43rd William Jones Cup.</p><p>Strong Group announced the development on Sunday. The Jones Cup will take place on July 13 to 21, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/14/strong-group-athletics-set-to-represent-ph-in-43rd-jones-cup-1330">READ: Strong Group Athletics set to represent PH in 43rd Jones Cup</a></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1717920173439UAAP 85 MBB Finals G3 ADMU vs. UP - Ange Kouame-3107.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Ateneo star center Ange Kouame. UAAP Media/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Ateneo star center Ange Kouame. <em>UAAP Media/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>Kouame, a naturalized Filipino who was a three-time UAAP champion with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, finally gets his opportunity to join Strong Group. He was initially part of the roster for the 2023 Dubai International Basketball Championship, but had to withdraw due to a bout with dengue. </p><p>He has been playing in France with Nationale Masculine 1 club UB Chartres Métropole. In his first season, Kouame averaged 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 22 games.</p><p>&quot;Ange has been like a son to our team owner, Boss Frank (Lao). Finally, I will get the chance to coach him, especially after our Dubai stint where he got sick and had to miss the tournament completely,&quot; Strong Group coach Charles Tiu said.</p><p>&quot;I know he&#x27;s improved a lot and has been healthy, so that&#x27;s a good sign. Whenever it comes to playing for the flag, Ange has always been willing,&quot; he added.</p><p>This will mark Kouame&#x27;s third appearance in the Jones Cup, having previously played for Ateneo-Pilipinas in the 2018 edition and Rain or Shine last year. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m really, really happy to represent the country again. It&#x27;s another opportunity for me to win this competition,&quot; said Kouame, the UAAP Season 84 Most Valuable Player and Season 85 Finals MVP.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/24/kiefer-ravena-to-suit-up-for-strong-group-in-william-jones-cup-1504">READ: Kiefer Ravena to suit up for Strong Group in William Jones Cup</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/28/chris-mccullough-set-for-ph-return-to-play-for-sga-in-jones-cup-1631">READ: Chris McCullough set for PH return, to play for SGA in Jones Cup</a></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1717920216918photo_1840886.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Shinshu guard RJ Abarrientos. (c) B.LEAGUE"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Shinshu guard RJ Abarrientos. <em>(c) B.LEAGUE</em></span></span></span></div><p>Abarrientos, for his part, is coming off his first season with the Shinshu Brave Warriors in the Japan B.League. According to Tiu, the former Far Eastern University star had been one of their first options for their point guard spot.</p><p>&quot;We had to wait until he got clearance from Japan and his agent to play,&quot; he explained. &quot;I always like guards who can score, so we are excited to have him on the team. When the opportunity to play for the country arose, he immediately said yes.&quot;</p><p>After one season with the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP, Abarrientos turned pro with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in the Korean Basketball League where he won Rookie of the Year honors in the 2022-23 season. </p><p>&quot;Of course, I&#x27;m very excited because it&#x27;s my first time on the team, and I&#x27;m eager to play with my kuyas and to represent our country again,&quot; said Abarrientos.</p><p>Also confirmed for Strong Group are Caelan Tiongson and Chris McCullough.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/18/jordan-heading-pba-hopeful-caelan-tiongson-to-suit-up-for-sga-in-jones-cup-1620">READ: Jordan Heading, PBA-hopeful Caelan Tiongson to suit up for SGA in Jones Cup</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ctB9skMhdc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Former UAAP stars Ange Kouame and RJ Abarrientos are the latest players to join the roster of Strong Group-Philippines for their campaign in the 43rd William Jones Cup.</p>

Former UAAP stars Ange Kouame and RJ Abarrientos are the latest players to join the roster of Strong Group-Philippines for their campaign in the 43rd William Jones Cup.

Kouame, Abarrientos join Strong Group lineup for Jones Cup | ABS-CBN

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Kouame, Abarrientos join Strong Group lineup for Jones Cup

Kouame, Abarrientos join Strong Group lineup for Jones Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 09, 2024 04:21 PM PHT

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