Jones Cup: Taiwan Blue Falls Short in Semifinals, Raymundפס Apologizes for Performance

Taiwan Blue's campaign in the Jones Cup came to an end with a 91-76 semifinal loss to the University of California, Irvine. The team faced challenges due to a shortage of players, a situation that forward Raymundפס acknowledged but framed as an opportunity. "Everyone says it's a bad situation, but I think it's the best situation because it allows us to challenge ourselves,"פס said. "If we are real men, because we are men, even if others criticize us, we must keep playing. We have to grow."

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Everyone says it's a bad situation, but I think it's the best situation because it allows us to challenge ourselves. If we are real men, because we are men, even if others criticize us, we must keep playing. We have to grow.

Despite the outcome, the team's effort was noted. Key contributors included Guo Junyan, who scored 17 points, and Song Hsin-yao, a recent top draft pick in the CBA, who added 14 points with three three-pointers. Raymundפס himself contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. However, Taiwan Blue was significantly outrebounded 54-35 and outscored in the paint 32-18, highlighting areas where the opponent's physical presence made a difference.

In a post-game press conference, Raymundפס offered an apology for the team's recent performance, stating, "Our idea is that we cannot give up. Everyone played very actively. We haven't been playing that well recently, so I want to apologize to you, but I can promise you, we will never give up." This sentiment underscored the team's commitment to resilience despite the difficulties.

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Our idea is that we cannot give up. Everyone played very actively. We haven't been playing that well recently, so I want to apologize to you, but I can promise you, we will never give up.

Song Hsin-yao, playing his final international competition before joining the CBA, reflected on the lessons learned, particularly regarding the physicality of the game. "The foreign teams here, from the Philippines, South Korea, and the USA, we've played them all. It's very clear that after the collisions, we struggle a bit to handle the ball," he said. "This is something I can absorb. Whether I bring it to the CBA or future international competitions, I am grateful that the Jones Cup invited such good foreign teams for us to learn from."

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The foreign teams here, from the Philippines, South Korea, and the USA, we've played them all. It's very clear that after the collisions, we struggle a bit to handle the ball. This is something I can absorb. Whether I bring it to the CBA or future international competitions, I am grateful that the Jones Cup invited such good foreign teams for us to learn from.