RoS Set To Hoist Philippine Flag In The Jones Cup: Can They Bring Home The Title?
4 min read
Rain or Shine, fresh from its successful campaign in the PBA On Tour, is gearing up to represent the Philippines in the highly anticipated Jones Cup in Taipei. The prestigious tournament returns after a three-year hiatus, and the Elasto Painters are determined to carry the nation’s colors with pride and enthusiasm from August 12 to 20.
For Rain or Shine, wearing the Philippine jersey is nothing new. Back in 2018, the core of the team was honored to represent the country in the Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The team’s impressive performance led them to a respectable fifth-place finish. They are eager to continue their legacy of bringing glory to the Philippines in international competitions.
“We are honored to represent the PBA and the country in the Jones Cup. The high-level competition will help us prepare better for the upcoming PBA season,” said Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, RoS Board of Governor and team manager. “We will give it our best shot and hope to bring honor to the country.”
As they head into the Jones Cup, Rain or Shine’s preseason performance is commendable, currently sitting in second place with a 6-2 record, trailing only the undefeated Magnolia. The team’s strong showing is a testament to their determination and team chemistry, which they hope to carry into the international stage.
Notably, this experience will also catalyzes the development of Rain or Shine’s young core, including talents like Rey Nambatac, Leonard Santillan, Gian Mamuyac, Shaun Ildefonso, Andrei Caracut, and Anton Asistio. The Jones Cup provides an excellent opportunity for these rising stars to gain exposure and hone their skills against top-notch international competition.
The Philippines has a rich history in the Jones Cup, having claimed the title six times. The journey began in 1981 when the Northern Consolidated Corp. secured victory, followed by a triumphant win in 1985 when NCC carried the San Miguel Beer banner and even defeated the heavily-favored US team in the finals.
In 1998, the Philippine Centennial Team continued the country’s dominance, and in 2012, Gilas Pilipinas etched its name in the tournament’s history. More recently, Mighty Sports secured back-to-back championships for the Philippines in 2016 and 2019.
With a legacy of success in the Jones Cup, Rain or Shine aims to add another chapter to the nation’s basketball history. The competition will undoubtedly be fierce, with teams from around the world vying for the coveted title.
However, with their impressive preseason form and determination to proudly represent the Philippines, the Elasto Painters have all the makings of a formidable contender.
As the Jones Cup unfolds, Filipino basketball fans will undoubtedly rally behind Rain or Shine, hoping to witness another historic moment for Philippine basketball. Can the Elasto Painters bring home the title and add another star to the nation’s basketball legacy? The anticipation and excitement are building as the Philippine flag flies high in the Jones Cup once again.
