TULOY-TULOY ang pagpapalakas ng Strong Group Athletics (SGA) sa kanilang lineup para sa paparating na 43rd William Jones Cup at idinagdag ang dalawang beteranong international players.

Nakuha ng Frank Lao-owned team ang commitment nina Filipino-American wingman DJ Fenner at American big man na si Tajuan Agee na inaasahang magdadala ng malaking international experience sa kanilang koponan.

Si Fenner ay isang versatile 6-foot-6 guard mula sa Seattle, Washington, na mayroon palang dugong Pinoy. Ang kanyang pamilya ay dating taga Malabon City, kaya naman laking tuwa niya na marepresenta ang Pilipinas.

“It feels like it’s meant to be! Traveling to the Philippines has always been a dream and goal of mine since I was a little kid, and now, to be able to not just travel there, but to represent the country and stand for something bigger,” sabi ni Fenner.

“I don’t know if I even have the words to express how I feel,” sabi ng 30-year-old product ng University of Nevada na matagal ng pangarap ang makapag laro para sa Pilipinas.

Inalala naman ng Fil-Am guard ang kanyang yumaong lolo na si Honorato Cruz na mayroong malaking impluwensya sa kanyang buhay, lalo na noong bata pa lamang siya.

“My lolo, Honorato Cruz, who passed away about nine years ago, was my best friend growing up,” ibinahagi ni Fenner.

“As much as I wish I could share this moment with him, I know he’d be proud. So, I guess my feelings are all over the place, in a good way, as I prepare to represent the motherland.”

Photo Courtesy: @lil_mamba15 | Instagram

Maganda naman ang naging takbo ng karera ni Fenner na naglaro sa iba’t ibang professional leagues sa Greece, Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia, Portugal, Poland, at sa Netherlands.

Sa Heroes Den Bosch ang isa sa pinakamagandang performance niya at tinulungan ang kanyang koponan na umabot sa Bnxt League Finals averaging 11.55 points, 3.73 rebounds, and 1.33 assists per game.

Ibinahagi naman ni Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu na matagal na niyang minamata si Fenner. Subalit, hindi lamang magtagpo ang kanilang schedule para makapaglaro sa kanyang koponan.

“I am really excited to work with DJ Fenner. He has been someone I’ve kept an eye on for the last few years. I tried to bring him over when I was with Mighty Sports, but the schedule never worked out,” said Tiu.

“He’s legit Filipino; his mom is Filipina, and he has been wanting to come out here. Hopefully, we can help him sort out his papers too, so he can have a career here in the Philippines. He’s a big guard who can shoot.”

Samantala, si Agee naman ay isang 26-year-old center mula sa Chicago, Illinois. Siya ay naging undrafted noong 2020 NBA Draft, na naging rason kung bakit siya ay naglaro na lamang sa European leagues.

Maganda ang naging takbo ng karera niya sa mga bansang Bulgaria, Germany, New Zealand, at France. Ang huling nilaruan niya ay ang BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque sa France.

“Tajuan Agee is someone who caught my eye while I was watching some games in Europe. I like what he can bring to the table; he’s got great athleticism and can shoot too,” sabi ni Tiu.

Makakasama ni Fenner ang heavy guard lineup ng mga Filipino stars na sina Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, Jordan Heading.

Habang pupunan naman nila Agee, kasama sina Caelan Tiongson, Chris McCullough, at Ange Kouame ang front court ng Strong Group sa Jones Cup na gaganapin sa Taipei, Taiwan.

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