RAIN or Shine kept its unbeaten run in the 39th Kadayawan International basketball tournament by coasting to a 119-108 victory over Converge on Saturday to arrange a championship showdown with reigning UAAP men’s basketball titlist De La Salle.
The Elasto Painters came out like a house on fire at the University of Southeastern Philippine gymnasium in Davao City and raced to a 38-17 lead.
Two more quarters later, and the team of coach Yeng Guiao was way in command, 91-67, on its way to notching a third straight win in the four-day meet in celebration of the annual Kadayawan festival in the province.
The Elasto Painters will now meet the Green Archers in Sunday’s winner-take-all match, where the champion receives the P200,000 prize money.
La Salle earlier escaped Phoenix, 104-102, to finish the single round robin with a 2-1 slate.
The Green Archers have the chance to avenge the 106-105 heartbreaker they suffered at the hands of the Elasto Painters during the opener.
Import Aaron Fuller had 21 points and nine rebounds to pace Rain or Shine, which also got 20 points from guard Andre Caracut on 3-of-4 shooting from long range.
Also finishing in double figures for the Elast Painters were Adrian Nocum with 15 and Jhonard Clarito and Mark Borboran with 14 and 10, respectively.
Converge was led by sophomore guard Schonny Winston with 24 points, while import Scotty Hopson added 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The FiberXers suffered their second loss in three outings and will take on winless Phoenix in the battle for third.
The scores
Rain or Shine (119) – Fuller 21, Caracut 20, Nocum 15, Clarito 14, Borboran 10, Mamuyac 8, Belga 8, Escandor 6, Ildefonso 6, Lemetti 5, Datu 4, Norwood 2, Asistio 0,.
Converge (108) – Winston 24, Hopson 23, Arana 15, Stockton 14, Melecio 7, Santos 6, Caralipio 6, Delos Santos 5, Fornilos 4, Andrade 2, Maagdenberg 2, Ambohot 0.
Quarters: 38-17; 63-45; 91-67; 119-108.
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