Let's talk about Boban Marjanovic and what is happening right now with Strong Group Athletics.
If you follow international hoops, you know Boban. He is the 7-foot-4 Serbian giant who spent nine seasons in the NBA. He is massive, he has incredibly soft touch around the rim, and he is a beloved figure wherever he goes. We also remember him well here in the Philippines, mostly because he suited up for the Serbian national team and helped beat Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the 2021 Olympic qualifiers.
But now? He is on our side.
Strong Group Athletics just brought the 37-year-old center into the country to be their main reinforcement for the upcoming William Jones Cup, running from August 8 to 23 at the New Taipei City Xinzhuang Gymnasium. They are chasing a historic three-peat, trying to become the first team to win three straight titles since Iran did it from 2009 to 2011.
When you look at the roster head coach Charles Tiu and president Jacob Lao have put together, you just have to shake your head and smile. You have Boban anchoring the middle. You have former Gilas mainstays like Matthew Wright and William Navarro. You have dynamic guards like Remy Martin, plus Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, and Isaiah Pineiro.
This latest move tells us three undeniable truths about Strong Group:
1. They are incredibly creative. They don't just recycle the same old list of standard imports. Coach Tiu used his connections with an import agent to get in touch with Boban’s camp over in Serbia—the same group that handles three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. They swung for the fences and landed a global fan favorite.
2. They are financially capable. You do not secure a player of Boban Marjanovic's caliber, while simultaneously flying in guys like Remy Martin and a stacked roster of local stars, without serious financial muscle. They are willing to open the checkbook to compete.
3. They want to put on a show. More than anything, Strong Group has a genuine desire to build a team that is flat-out watch-worthy. They understand that basketball is entertainment. They know fans want to see super-teams, big names, and high-level basketball.
The Elephant in the Room
This brings me to a frustrating rumor circulating through the Philippine basketball community right now. There is growing chatter that certain established groups within the PBA are actively trying to block Strong Group from entering the league as an independent franchise.
If those rumors are true, it is a terrible look for the league.
Think about the current state of the PBA. The league is constantly trying to find new ways to bring fans back to the arenas, spark rivalries, and inject fresh energy into the conferences.
So why in the world would you shut the door on an ownership group that has proven they can recruit elite talent, spend money fearlessly, and capture the public's imagination?
If the established PBA conglomerates are trying to keep Strong Group out simply because they are afraid of a new, well-funded rival disrupting their dominance, they are putting their own pride ahead of the league's overall health. A rising tide lifts all boats. Having an independent team that can randomly pull a guy like Boban Marjanovic out of a hat forces everyone else in the league to step up their game, scout better, and spend more.
Strong Group has shown they know how to build a winner and entertain the crowd. For the sake of the fans, the PBA shouldn't be building a wall to keep them out. They should be handing them the keys.
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