Apology Made. Damage Done. Jones Cup Format Change Puts SGA in the Crossfire
CTBA admits Strong Group Athletics was the “biggest victim” of the controversial format change—but for the two-time champions, an apology may not be enough.
The apology has been made.
But for Strong Group Athletics, the damage already been done.
The Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), organizer of the 2026 William Jones Cup, has publicly apologized over a sudden change to the tournament format that put SGA's bid for a historic three-peat in jeopardy.
And in a striking admission, the organizers themselves acknowledged that the Philippine-based squad may have been the “biggest victim” of the new format.
That acknowledgment, however, does little to erase what happened on the court.
SGA entered the final stretch of group play with a 4-1 record, seemingly putting Charles Tiu's squad in prime position for another deep run.
But the new format changed the equation.
CTBA decided to guarantee a semifinal berth for Chinese Taipei Blue, despite the host team sitting at the bottom of Group A with a 1-4 record.
For SGA, it created a problem. A team with four wins could now be watching the semifinals from the sidelines.
The complicated situation became even more difficult because of the tournament's margin-of-victory tiebreaker.
SGA needed to beat South Korea's Wonju DB Promy by at least 32 points to strengthen its chances of advancing.
Instead, the Korean side—powered by Ethan Alvano—handed SGA a 110-79 defeat in their opening meeting.
South Korea's position at the top of Group A secured the other semifinal spot, leaving SGA dependent on the results of other games.
Suddenly, the defending two-time champion was no longer in control of its own destiny.
The rationale?
Chinese Taipei Blue had been hit by injuries, leaving the team depleted and forcing younger, less experienced players into the lineup.
For the host, the change offered another chance.
Although, CTBA explained that the format adjustment was made partly to allow Chinese Taipei Blue to remain competitive and give local fans an opportunity to see their hometown team reach the semifinals.
The organizers also said scheduling adjustments were made to provide teams with more adequate rest.
But CTBA recognized the obvious consequence. SGA already paid the price.
“The two-time champion Philippine SGA team… may be the biggest victim of the new competition format this year.”
That is quite an admission.
The organizers also praised SGA for its performance throughout the tournament and thanked the team for contributing to the competition.
But here's the uncomfortable question:
Should a team with a 4-1 record have to depend on other results simply because the rules changed during the tournament?
There is nothing wrong with acknowledging a mistake. In fact, CTBA's public apology is important.
But an apology does not add another win to SGA's record. It does not erase the 32-point requirement.
It does not restore the team's control over its semifinal destiny. And it certainly does not guarantee another Jones Cup championship.
For a team chasing a historic three-peat, those details matter.
Despite the controversy, SGA don't quit.
The Philippine-based squad still faced Chinese Taipei Blue in its final group assignment, knowing that even a victory may not guarantee a Final Four berth.
Japan's result against South Korea also factors into the equation.
That is the frustrating part. SGA did the work on the court.
The Jones Cup has apologized. But for SGA, the message is simple: Again, an apology can acknowledge the damage. It cannot undo it.
And if SGA somehow survives this mess and reaches the semifinals, it won't just be playing for another Jones Cup title.
It will be playing with something to prove. Let's find out what's next for them.
