Rain or Shine survives Iran in 2OT for first Jones Cup win

Rain or Shine needed 10 extra minutes to nail its first win in the 2023 William Jones Cup as it escaped a gutsy Iran squad, 98-90, in double overtime on Wednesday at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium in Taiwan.

The Elasto Painters halted their four-game slump to improve to 1-4 while the Iranians dropped to 1-3.

Similar to its previous games, Rain or Shine faded late after leading by as much as 14 early in the fourth period, 72-58, the wards of head coach Yeng Guiao failed to sustain their momentum, giving up a 16-2 run to Iran that tied things up and eventually forced an overtime.

Amir Hossein Azari, who instigated that huge rampage, continued his onslaught in the first overtime, sending Iran to a slim 78-77 lead before an Ange Kouame jumper knotted the game at 82-all.

Split free throws each from Azari and Santi Santillan forced another overtime.

Anton Asistio came up with a long three-pointer, 93-88, before his assist led to a Kouame layup with 41 seconds left for a 95-88 spread. Santillan completed a three-point play opportunity to seal it all for the Filipinos.

Kouame flirted with a double-double outing of 20 points and nine rebounds laced with  four assists and four blocks while Andrei Caracut and Santillan chipped in 19 and 17 markers apiece.

Nick Evans, who was also tapped by Rain or Shine as reinforcement for the Jones Cup, had 11 points.

Prior to the breakthrough win, Rain or Shine fell to two home teams Chinese Taipei Blue and Chinese Taipei White, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

A tough task, however, awaits the Elasto Painters as they take on reigning KBL champion Anyang KGC on Thursday at 5 p.m. 

Philippine teams have won six times in the Jones Cup, with the two recent titles coming from Mighty Sports in 2016 and 2019. Gilas Pilipinas also won back in 2012. 

In the recent women's tournament of the Jones Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas Women finished with a 1-4 win-loss card.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News