RAIN or Shine avoided an upset, escaping with a 106-105 win over reigning UAAP champion La Salle in the 39th Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
Andrei Caracut stung his former college team with a go-ahead lay-up followed by an Aaron Fuller short stab with 42.5 seconds left to settle the final score.
Kevin Quiambao scored six straight points including three free throws that pushed La Salle to a 105-102 lead with 2:04 left in the game, but the Green Archers failed to score again.
The Gilas Pilipinas player still had one last chance to steal the win for La Salle, but Quiambao was stripped by Jhonard Clarito to end the game.
The Elasto Painters, preparing for the coming 49th Season of the PBA, came away with the win despite trailing for most of the fourth quarter.
The match also saw Mason Amos suiting up for La Salle following his transfer from Ateneo and after he and Quiambao played for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Another highlight of the match was Beau Belga giving Quiambao a finger wag after making a lay-up over the reigning UAAP MVP in the third quarter, drawing cheers from the Davao City crowd.
La Salle entered the fourth with an 82-78 lead, putting itself in position to pull off an upset but it fell short.
Rain or Shine will face Phoenix, while La Salle battles Converge on Friday at the USEP Gym at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
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