SGA expects high-octane offense from imports McCullough, Agee in Jones Cup

Chris McCullough PBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletic coach Charles Tiu expects no less than a high-octane offense from imports Chris McCullough and Tajuan Agee as the team prepares to go for no less than the championship in the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.

The 6-foot-10 McCullough is coming off a solid stint with the Formosa Taishin Dreamers in the P.League+ where he averaged 20.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

"Expect him to get us a lot of buckets and make a lot of plays," Tiu told the Manila Times as he spoke glowingly of the 29-year-old McCullough.

McCullough is no stranger to Filipino basketball fans, having led the San Miguel Beermen to the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup crown.

The outspoken American even expressed several times on social media his desire to play for Gilas as a naturalized player.

On the other hand, the 26-year-old Agee's motor skills could greatly benefit Strong Group, which also boasts of veteran guards in Kiefer Ravena, Jordan Heading, Rhenz Abando and RJ Abarrientos, while Gilas naturalized big man Ange Kouame has also been tapped to shore up the team's front court.

"I like how Tajuan plays. He can play inside out and has a good motor and good attitude," added Tiu on Agee, who averaged 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his recent stint with French squad BCM Gravelines Dunkerque.

SGA is on a mission this month in the Jones Cup that's slated from July 13-21, considering that the Philippines last won the annual cage tournament in 2019.

Incidentally, Tiu was at the helm when he guided Mighty Sports to a tournament sweep that year behind imports Renaldo Balkman, Eugene Phelps and McKenzie Moore.