📅 Last Updated: May 2, 2026 · Verified by the SuperAce88 editorial team
Few tournaments in Asian basketball carry the heritage of the William Jones Cup. First held in Taipei in 1977, the invitational has hosted national teams, club sides, and select squads from across four continents every year since — with only occasional pauses. For Filipino fans, the Jones Cup has been a long-running proving ground for Gilas Pilipinas and for individual players looking to make a case for the senior national team. This is the SuperAce88 editorial team’s evergreen guide.
What Is the William Jones Cup?
Named after R. William Jones, one of the founders of FIBA, the Jones Cup is an annual invitational basketball tournament held in Taipei, Taiwan. Participating teams rotate each year and usually include:
- The host Chinese Taipei senior national team
- Asian national teams (Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia)
- Invited teams from the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Africa
- Occasional club sides or under-age development squads
It is a round-robin format; the team with the best record wins the Cup. No elimination games, no bracket surprises — just pure win percentage over roughly two weeks of competition.
Why the Jones Cup Matters to Filipino Basketball
For the Philippines, the Jones Cup has served three purposes over the decades. First, it is a preparation tournament before FIBA Asia competitions. Second, it is a talent identification stage for younger players trying to crack the senior Gilas roster. Third, it is one of the few tournaments where Filipino fans can see the national team outside of FIBA windows, giving the sport constant visibility.
The Philippines at the Jones Cup
The Philippines has won the Jones Cup multiple times across its history, the most notable runs coming in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s. Since 2020, the team has approached the tournament primarily as a development camp — sending collegiate-heavy rosters, players on the Gilas pool bubble, and occasionally a mix that includes PBA veterans. Results have been mixed, but the tournament consistently produces new names who graduate into the full Gilas programme.
How the Tournament Has Changed
Over the last decade, the Jones Cup has had to compete for calendar space with FIBA windows, the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games, and national team friendlies. Some years have seen smaller fields and reduced prestige; others have featured marquee national teams that treated it seriously. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic; subsequent editions returned with strong Asian participation and occasional European invitees.
How to Follow the Jones Cup
Games are broadcast on Philippine sports channels and streamed online through multiple partners depending on the year. Gilas Pilipinas’s social media channels typically post daily updates during the tournament. For betting markets, the Jones Cup sometimes features in Asian sportsbook coverage, though markets are thinner than for FIBA or NBA fixtures.
Why This Tournament Still Matters
In an era of FIBA windows and more structured international calendars, the Jones Cup’s informal round-robin format is a throwback — and that is exactly why it still matters. It gives coaches a low-stakes environment to try combinations, gives fringe players real minutes against national-team opposition, and gives fans a summer basketball fixture that would not otherwise exist.
William Jones Cup FAQ
Where is the Jones Cup held?
Taipei, Taiwan. The tournament has been hosted there since its inception in 1977.
How is the champion decided?
Round-robin format. The team with the best win-loss record across all matches is declared the Jones Cup champion.
Has the Philippines ever won?
Yes. The Philippines has multiple Jones Cup titles over its history, with notable championships in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s.
Is the Jones Cup a FIBA-sanctioned event?
It is an invitational tournament named after a FIBA co-founder but runs outside the official FIBA calendar. Results do not affect FIBA rankings or qualifying positions.
