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| Andrei Caracut's efforts were not enough to steer Rain Or Shine past Chinese Taipei Blue. PBA Images (file photo) |
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Rain Or Shine was given a rude Jones Cup welcome by host team Chinese Taipei Blue as the national team prevailed, 98-79, in the main game of the opening day festivities on Saturday at the Taipei Heiping Basketball Gymnasium.
Chinese Taipei Blue exploded early on, dropping 40 points on Rain Or Shine in the first quarter.
The Taiwanese squad then held ROS to just 14 points in the second quarter and 12 in the third as the lead ballooned to 33, 82-49, 30 minutes in.
ROS finally got its offense going in the fourth quarter, scoring 30 points, but the outcome was already settled then.
Will Artino led Chinese Taipei Blue with 23 points, going 10-for-10 on two-pointers, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Mohammad Gadiaga added 22 points, two rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Andrei Caracut led ROS with 18 points, one rebound, three assists, one steal, and one block, while Ange Kouame added 15 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks.
In the other games, Anyang downed UAE, 100-84, UC-Irvine ripped Qatar, 105-38, and Chinese Taipei White clipped Japan's under-22 team, 85-59.
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