THE mission is tough, so Rain or Shine is leaving for Taipei on Friday for the 42nd William Jones Cup with a modest goal.
For one, the two-time PBA champion will be facing a formidable field, including the national teams of three top Middle East nations and the region’s top ball clubs in the nine-day tournament which formally unwraps on Saturday.
Rain or Shine in Jones Cup
The Elasto Painters even don’t have an idea as to what kind of opposition they will be facing although the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad is certainly not the type to back down from a challenge.
So expect the Raymond Yu and Terry Que-owned franchise to go all-out in its bid to defend the country’s title in the Jones Cup which was last won by an import-laden Mighty Sports team in 2019.
Rain or Shine Governor Mert Mondragon expressed his confidence that the team will put its best foot forward, hoping not only to represent the PBA well but also showcase the Filipino brand of play on the international stage.
“We will be up against some very tough teams, taller and quicker, even national teams. We are not promising anything but I’m sure that our guys will not back down from a challenge and will fight to represent the PBA, and the country well,” said Mondragon.
Reinforcing the team are Gilas Pilipinas’ Ange Kouame and American import Nick Evans along with the young core of Rey Nambatac, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac and Shaun Ildefonso.
Veterans Gabe Norwood, Jewel Ponferrada and Beau Belga are still expected to provide the leadership along with guys like Jhonard Clarito, Mac Belo, Nick Demusis and Mark Borboran.
Heading the delegation are ROS Alternate Governor Edison Oribina, Redmond Yu and Jireh Ibanez.
Rain or Shine is opening the tournament against the host Chinese Taipei for their first two games, Team A on Aug.12 and Team B the next day. The Elasto Painters then lock horns with national teams of UAE on the 14th, Qatar on the 15th and Iran on the 16th.
Rain or Shine takes on the Korean Basketball League champion Anyang KGC on Aug. 17th before taking a breather the next day. The Elasto Painters clash with the Japan Under-22 national team on Aug.19 and NCAA team University of California-Irvine on Aug. 20.
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