THERE'S no denying Rain or Shine as it completed a sweep of the 39th Kadayawan Invitational basketball tournament with a 138-116 blowout of De La Salle in Sunday night's finale at the University of Southeastern Philippines gymnasium in Davao City.
Drawing firepower from import Aaron Fuller, guards Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac, and sophomore big man Keith Datu, the Elasto Painters didn't give the Green Archers a chance, scoring 42 points after the first quarter on the way to taking a huge 77-59 lead at the halftime break.
Fuller finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds, Caracut added 21 points, eight assists, and three rebounds, Mamuyac had 17, while Datu went 3-of-4 from long range for 17 points to steer the team to the championship and the P200,000 prize money.
Caracut was also named Finals MVP in the annual event in celebration of the Kadayawan festival.
Rain or Shine went a perfect 4-0 during the four-day meet, including a sweep of the single round robin elimination behind wins over La Salle, Phoenix, and Converge.
Sponsored content: Anton Assistio finished with 14 points, while Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito 10 each for the Elasto Painters, whose title romp is certainly a big boost heading to their campaign in the Season 49 of the PBA.
Kevin Quiambao shrugged off the effects of an ankle sprain to come up with a double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Mike Philips had 18 and 11 in showing the way for La Salle, which is preparing for Season 86 of the UAAP men's basketball tournament where the school is the defending champion.
The Green Archers ended their campaign with an even 2-2 slate, including wins over Phoenix and Converge.
Meanwhile in the battle for third, Phoenix went to import Jay McKinnis to beat Converge, 87-81.
McKinnis delivered 22 points and 17 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, who also got 13 points from Jason Perkins. (RG)
Sponsored content: The scores:
First Game
Phoenix (87) - McKinnis 22, Perkins 13, Salado 12, Garcia 11, Tio 8, Tuffin 5, Mocon 5, Alejandro 4, Jazul 3, Ballungay 2, Camacho 2, Muyang 0, Manganti 0, Verano 0.
Converge (81) - Hopson 16, Racal 9, Winston 8, Fornilos 8, Maagdenberg 8, Stockton 7, Delos Santos 6, Andrade 6, Santos 5, Arana 4, Flores 2, Caralipio 2, Melecio 0, Ambohot 0.
Quarterscores: 26-33; 43-49; 67-69; 87-81.
Second Game
Rain or Shine (138) - Fuller 34, Caracut 21, Mamuyac 17, Datu 17, Asistio 14, Clarito 10, Nocum 10, Belga 8, Norwood 3, Ildefonso 2, Borboran 2, Lemetti 0.
De La Salle (116) - Quiambao 19, Philips 18, Austria 14, Amos 13, Marasigan 11, R. Cortez 8, Ramiro 8, Abadam 7, Rubico 6, Dungo 5, Pablo 3, Gollena 2, Ogana 2, Macalalag 0.
Quarterscores: 42-33; 77-59; 110-94; 138-116.
