Rain Or Shine Struggles Anew In Jones Cup, Falling Short Against Chinese Taipei-B

Rain or Shine’s campaign in the highly anticipated 42nd Jones Cup faced another hurdle as the team experienced a second consecutive loss, this time against a formidable Chinese Taipei-B squad, ending with a score of 89-79 at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium. Despite showcasing resilience and determination, the Elasto Painters could not overcome the host country’s early lead and the home crowd’s fervent support.

Echoing their previous game, Rain or Shine encountered difficulties finding their offensive rhythm, resulting in a significant deficit of 30-14 by the conclusion of the first quarter. While the Filipino team exhibited commendable efforts to stage a comeback, the substantial advantage secured by Chinese Taipei-B proved too daunting, reaching a peak of 21 points during the second quarter.

Coach Yeng Guiao, acknowledging the challenges faced by the team, stressed the importance of making necessary adjustments and gleaning valuable lessons from their prior match against Chinese Taipei-A. Guiao affirmed, “Part of the adjustment probably. There may have been some nerves and adjustments to make. After that, I think we can take a lot of lessons from the first game.”

Regarding individual contributions, Rain or Shine was led by the exceptional performance of naturalized player Ange Kouame, who tallied an impressive 15 points. Additionally, Gian Mamuyac and import Nick Evans made notable contributions by adding 11 points to the team’s total. On the opposing side, Adam Hinton emerged as the standout scorer for Chinese Taipei-B, amassing 17 points.

Rain or Shine displayed unwavering determination in their efforts to close the gap, as evidenced by a commendable 11-0 run spearheaded by Mac Belo and Ange Kouame. However, Chinese Taipei-B’s strong finish to the first half enabled them to extend their lead, culminating in a halftime score of 54-37.

As Rain or Shine gears up for its upcoming matchup, the team is set to face fellow winless contender United Arab Emirates on the horizon. In light of their recent performances, the Elasto Painters are poised to regroup, strategize, and execute a focused game plan to secure their first victory in the ongoing tournament.

In parallel with the unfolding of the Jones Cup matches the competition’s landscape continues to evolve. On the tournament’s second day, the University of Irvine in California showcased an impressive display of dominance by securing a resounding 109-49 triumph over United Arab Emirates. This victory elevated them to a notable 2-0 record, effectively positioning them on par with Chinese Taipei-B at the pinnacle of the current standings.

Furthermore, the intensity of the Jones Cup was evident as Iran engaged in an arduous battle against Qatar, ultimately prevailing with a final score of 69-63. This victory marked Iran’s triumphant debut in the tournament and contributed to Qatar’s second consecutive loss, resulting in a challenging 0-2 record for the Qataris.

Amidst the unfolding drama and spirited competition of the Jones Cup, Rain or Shine remains steadfast in its resolve to navigate the challenges, derive meaningful insights from each contest, and endeavor to transform its efforts into a triumphant turnaround in the forthcoming matchups. As the journey continues, the Elasto Painters remain committed to leaving an indelible mark on the international basketball stage.

The boxscores:

Chinese Taipei-B (89) – A. Hinton 17, Jian 15, Lin 13, Ma 13, R. Hinton 9, Ahmadou 8, Chen 3, Chiang 1, Sun 0, Lan 0, Chen 0, Wang 0.

Rain or Shine (79) – Kouame 15, Mamuyac 11, Evans 11, Demusis 10, Belo 9, Santillan 9, Nambatac 8, Caracut 4, Clarito 2, Norwood 0, Belga 0, Ponferrada 0.

Quarterscores: 30-14: 54-37; 75-55; 89-79.