Rain or Shine survived a gritty De La Salle while Converge outlasted Phoenix in overtime to pick up opening day victories in the 2024 Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday, July 25, at the USEP Gym in Davao City.

The Elasto Painters came away with a pulsating 106-105 victory over the Green Archers while the FiberXers hacked out a 132-127 decision over the Fuel Masters in the four-day tournament that also serves as the teams’ preparations to their respective seasons.

ROS showed poise down the stretch as Andrei Caracut and import Aaron Fuller delivered big hits inside the final two minutes before a steal from Jhonard Clarito in the final possession of La Salle sealed the victory.

Fuller had a big game of 33 points and 18 rebounds.

Still, the Elasto Painters had a major scare from the defending UAAP champions, who led for the most part of the final frame behind the efforts of former and current Gilas Pilipinas players in Kevin Quiambao, Mason Amos and Michael Phillips.

Quiambao, proving he can already hold his own against the PBA players, had a booming triple and three straight free throws to keep La Salle’s head above the water, 105-102, with 2:14 left.

That was when Caracut scored on a layup and Fuller on an inside stab off a Beau Belga pass suddenly gave ROS a 106-105 lead.

Gian Mamuyac had the chance to put the dagger on the next possession but missed a jumper, allowing the Green Archers to still get a chance at the last possible shot. Clarito, however, managed to sprint down the defense and take the ball away from Quiambao as the time expired.

Meanwhile, in the opening game, Justin Arana took over in the extra period to power the FiberXers to a win even without import top rookie pick Justin Baltazar and import Scotty Hopson.

Down by two, 113-111, Arana sent the game to an extra period after grabbing the rebound and scoring a putback off a Schonny Winston free throw miss. 

He then scored the first six points of Converge in the overtime to give a 119-113 lead. Arana had 28 points while Alec Stockton led the way with 32 points.

Phoenix, which got solid showing from Javee Mocon and rookie Kai Ballungay, refused to go down without a fight, cutting the lead down to one, 122-123.

Arana and BJ Andrade, however, scored four straight points from the foul line and Winston drilled a right wing triple to keep the Fuel Masters at bay.