Strong Group brings back Chris McCullough for Dubai tournament

Strong Group’s Chris McCullough goes for a layup against Chinese Taipei-B in the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taiwan.–SGA PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Strong Group, Valientes at Dubai Basketball Championship 2025

MANILA, Philippines—Strong Group Athletics is bringing back arguably its most important piece of the puzzle for the 2025 Dubai International Basketball Tournament.

SGA announced that it has tapped Chris McCullough, someone responsible for the Philippine-side squad’s most recent accomplishment in the 43rd William Jones Cup, for its upcoming campaign.

Last year, SGA successfully brought back the Jones Cup to the Philippines with the help of McCullough, who was named as MVP by the end of the tournament.

READ: Jones Cup MVP Chris McCullough hits back at game-fixing claims

SGA coach Charles Tiu couldn’t be more excited to reunite with one of the squad’s most important swingmen.

“[I’m] thankful he decided to play for us again. He just wanted to hoop. To be honest, he was the one who found ways to get permission to play for us, and it says a lot about him wanting to play for the Philippines,” said Tiu.

“We’ve got a good relationship, and I’m so looking forward to working with him again.”

In last year’s Jones Cup, McCullough posted 21.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game to lead SGA to an eight-game sweep of the tourney.

This time, McCullough will have even more help in the form of former NBA veteran DeMarcus Cousins and Malachi Richardson.

Also joining McCullough are SGA mainstays Rhenz Abando, Ange Kouame and Dave Ildefonso.