Strong Group Athletics
 | |
| Short name | Strong Group |
|---|---|
| Sport | Basketball, Volleyball |
| Owner | Frank Lao |
The Strong Group Athletics is an organization which sponsors basketball and volleyball teams in the Philippines. The Strong Group was founded by Filipino businessman Frank Lao.
History
[edit]Basketball
[edit]They build its own basketball team which has competed in the Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates.
They debuted in the 2023 edition, with Mighty Sports and Acto City sponsoring their stint.[1][2] Strong Group, coached by Charles Tiu, finished as quarterfinalists.[3]
Volleyball
[edit]In 2023, they became the new main sponsor of the UE Lady Red Warriors volleyball team in the UAAP, acquiring six new recruited players and appointing Jerry Yee as the new head coach of the Lady Warriors.
The Strong Group also helped Premier Volleyball League club Quezon City Gerflor Defenders resolved its player salary issue[4] which was first reported in November 2023, during the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.[5][6][7] Gerflor would be effectively disbanded after the tournament.[8]
In January 2024, they announced on their social media accounts that Strong Group Athletics would be taking over Gerflor's franchise. It will be Strong Group's second PVL team, the first being the Farm Fresh Foxies.[4][9] The team which initially played under the SGA name would be renamed as the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles after the conclusion of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.[10]
Affiliated teams
[edit]Basketball
[edit]The following men's basketball teams are linked to the Strong Group:[11]
- Strong Group Athletics (independent team; last competed in the Dubai International Basketball Championship)
- UE Junior Warriors (UAAP)
- Farm Fresh–Letran Milkers[13][14] (Pilipinas Super League U-18)/Letran Squires (NCAA)
Volleyball
[edit]- Farm Fresh Foxies[15] (Premier Volleyball League)
- Zus Coffee Thunderbelles[4][9] (Premier Volleyball League)
- Benilde Lady Blazers[16] (NCAA)
- Letran Lady Knights[16] (NCAA)
- UE Lady Warriors[17] (UAAP)
- UP Fighting Maroons[16] (UAAP)
References
[edit]- ^ "Strong Group begins Dubai campaign vs UAE national team". Manila Bulletin. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Li, Matthew (December 23, 2022). "Mighty Sports gives way as Jacob Lao's Strong Group to rep PH in Dubai meet". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Agcaoili, Lance (February 3, 2023). "Strong Group-PH bows out of contention in Dubai". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c Dannug, Jonash (January 13, 2024). "SGA takes over Gerflor in PVL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "PVL probes Gerflor over allegations of delayed salaries, mistreatment". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Times, Tiebreaker (November 9, 2023). "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Agcaoili, Lance (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor team playing through low morale in PVL amid financial woes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Dukha, Angel III (December 31, 2023). "Acaylar, disbanded Gerflor squad await their fates". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Strong Group joins PVL, takes over Gerflor franchise". GMA News. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "PVL: Strong Group rebrands as Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and with Jerry Yee as new coach". One Sports. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Castillo, Musong (August 17, 2023). "Toroman comes in to help Converge, two NCAA programs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Frank Lao's Strong Group snags Dwight Howard as import in Dubai tournament". Bilyonaryo. January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Farm Fresh, Letran extend aid to Typhoon Egay-affected Kapampangans". BusinessMirror. August 20, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Farm Fresh-Letran, Pampanga open PSL 'Battle of Champions' with easy wins". Sunstar. SunStar Publishing Inc. July 9, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Farm Fresh signs Kurashiki Ablaze coach as consultant". The Philippine Star. December 24, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Strong Group Athletics joins PVL". Premier Volleyball League. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Bolima, Martin Dale (July 19, 2023). "Red letter days in store for UE in UAAP volleyball after securing quintet of talented high schoolers". One Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2024.