Rain or Shine reinforcement Ange Kouame goes for a hook shot during a game against Chinese Taipei in the William Jones Cup. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Rain or Shine dropped its second straight game in the 42nd William Jones Cup after being handed an 89-79 loss by Chinese Taipei B on Sunday at Taipei Heping Gymnasium.
The Elasto Painters once again had to endure a first quarter deficit, this time against the second team being fielded by the host country in the annual international tournament.
Ange Kouame, Gian Mamuyac and Nick Demusis were among the few bright spots for Rain or Shine as it had to endure the strong play of Chinese-Taipei B led by top scorer Adam Tsang Hinton.
Hinton had 17 points, including five straight that immediately cut short a mini Elasto Painters rally that saw them reduce the margin to nine with less than six minutes left.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s team dropped to 0-2 in its campaign that began the other night with a 98-79 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei A.
Rain or Shine guard Gian Mamuyac takes a jumper against Chinese Taipei in the William Jones Cup. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Kouame finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in another solid effort for one of the two reinforcements the PBA side tapped for the competition.
Mamuyac scored 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting while Demusis produced 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists for Rain or Shine.
Rain or Shine will try to get in the win column on Monday at 1 p.m. against the United Arab Emirates, likewise with two losses in the tournament.
UAE fell 109-49 to University of California, Irvine in one of the other games held Sunday.
The scores:
CHINESE TAIPEI B 89—Hinton A. 17, Jian 15, Lin 13, Ma 13, Hinton R. 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.
Quarters: 30-14, 54-37, 76-55, 89-79.