VICTORY continued to elude Rain or Shine as it lost a close game against United Arab Emirates, 73-71, on Monday in the 42nd Jones Cup at the Taiwan Heping Gymnasium.
Leonard Santillan missed an attempt underneath the basket with 11 seconds to go that could have given the Elasto Painters the lead, before UAE split its two free throws for the final count.
See Rain or Shine struggles against Chinese Taipei B
It was the third loss in the last three days for the Philippine side, which fell against two Chinese Taipei teams over the weekend.
UAE meanwhile, notched its first win after losing its first two games in the tournament.
Nick Demusis carried the fight for Rain or Shine with 12 points, 10 coming in the final period including the basket that gave the team its final taste of the lead, 69-68, at the 1:47 mark.
But UAE had the final say as guard Hamid Abdulateef Abreiki countered with a huge three-pointer to give his side a 71-69 lead which it never relinquished.
Demusis gives ROS a chance
Demusis scored anew with 24 seconds left to make it 72-71, but Rain or Shine couldn’t pounce on the opportunities as Santillan missed his shot, Demusis lost control of the ball, and the Elasto Painters failed to get the rebound after big man Quais Alshabebi missed both his free throws in the final four seconds.
Abreiki, who scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, sealed the win for UAE with a split from the charity line.
Qatar will be up next for Rain or Shine, its fourth straight game in as many days when the two sides clash on Tuesday.
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