At A Glance
- Rain or Shine had multiple opportunities to bag its first win but just couldn't take full advantage.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Rain or Shine had its chances but couldn't deliver in endgame as the United Arab Emirates survived with a thrilling 73-71 win in the 2023 William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium here on Monday, Aug. 14.

Hamid Abdulateef Albreiki proved to be the biggest thorn to the side of the Elasto Painters, unloading 15 of his 22 points in the final frame to extend the dry spell of the Filipinos through three games.
The Filipinos struggled to put the clamps down on Albreiki who scored UAE's last six points in the final frame including the triple that put UAE ahead for good, 71-69.
Still, Rain or Shine had multiple opportunities to bag its first win but just couldn't take full advantage.
With 24 seconds left, Santi Santillan missed his layup attempt that could have put the Elasto Painters back into the driver's seat.
The Elasto Painters dodged two huge bullets when veteran big man Qais Alshabebi missed his two free throws with four seconds remaining, but the Filipinos failed to clear the rebound and allowed Albreiki to extend the lead to two, 71-73.
Gian Mamuyac had one last heave to try and steal the game but his three-point attempt was likewise foiled by UAE's defense at the buzzer.
Alshabebi finished with 11 points while Rashed Alzaabi added 10.
Nick Demusis, who kept Rain or Shine in the game after trailing by as many six points in the final frame, paced the Filipinos with 12.
Nick Evans also chipped in 12 but was a non-factor in the payoff period.