Controversial format puts SGA’s three-peat drive in peril

Sports

STRONG Group Athletics (SGA) pocketed a fourth straight win by drubbing South Korea, 113-87, in the 2026 William Jones Cup at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City on Wednesday night, Aug. 19.

Despite the one-sided win, SGA will likely miss the semifinal round due to a controvesial format that was only relayed to participating teams at the start of the competition.

SGA had a great chance of actually sealing a semis seat if it won by 23 points against South Korea. It led by as many as 32 points at one point but coulldn’t protect the cushion.

Things got complicated for SGA after it lost to the same South Korea team in their first meeting, 79-110.

South Korea and SGA now have identical 4-1 (win-loss) cards. South Korea is the No. 1 seed in Group A owing to its 31-point win over SGA.

SGA is at No. 2 but one of the two semis slots was automatically given to Chinese-Taipei in a controversial incentive given to the team for being the host.

SGA will be playing Chinese-Taipei on Thursday night, Aug. 20. It’s only chance of making it to the semis is if Japan scores a major upset against South Korea also on Thursday.

Japan is still winless in four games.(CCM)