Painful loss, to say the least.
“Lagi sila naagawan.”
This was the simple yet spot-on comment of basketball fan Naiviv Ococilab posted on Facebook after the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters suffered their third loss in as many games in the 42nd William Jones Cup on Monday.
The Yeng Guiao-mentored squad gave up 22 turnovers, including two within the last two minutes of the ballgame, which ultimately led to the 73-71 demise of the PBA squad at the hands of the United Arab Emirates.
Nick Demusis scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including six straight at one point, to give ROS the 69-68 lead with 1:47 left in the game held at the Taipei Heping Basketball Stadium.
A couple of possessions later, Demusis lost the rock that translated to a Hamid Abdullateef Albreiki 3-pointer, which gave UAE a two-point lead.
ROS import Ange Kouame committed another turnover in the next outing that allowed UAE to extend their lead to three, 72-69.
The Elasto Painters stayed alive until the very end, but a missed Leonard Santillan layup and an offensive rebound surrendered to the Middle Easterners sealed the Filipinos’ doom. Rain or Shine gave up a total of 13 offensive rebounds in the game.
“Dami niyo turnover!!!” A visibly exasperated Facebook user in Web Ster posted.
Boodee Monteño, another netizen, had harsher words.
“If you watched the game, parang ‘di pro team, nagkakalat sa loob ng court.”
Demusis and import Nick Evans scored 12 apiece to pace the Elasto Painters. Kouame had 8 markers and 6 boards. The two imports, however, led the team in turnovers with 7 combined.
It's not the first time in this year's Jones Cup that fans were left disappointed. Nonetheless, hoops fan Rocky Avila is able to look at the big picture despite the third straight setback.
“ROS might be losing at the Jones Cup but believe me, their exposure against foreign teams will transform them to a stronger team in the PBA. Most of its players are young and talented and in due time, they'll be a force to reckon with in the pro league.”
Coach Yeng sure hopes that would be the case for his wards.
They hope to bounce back on Tuesday, when they face Qatar at 3 p.m.