MĀNOA — Around 45 minutes before tipoff between the University of Hawai‘i men's basketball team and Utah Tech, Hawai‘i head coach Eran Ganot was in the Stan Sheriff Center's Ed Wong Hospitality Suite addressing a crowd.
In addition to the final day of the 2025 Outrigger Rainbow Classic, Saturday evening also served as the annual Coaches vs. Cancer event, spearheaded by Ganot. Prior to Saturday, the event had raised over $200,000 annually for the Hope Lodge Hawai‘i, a free of charge location that houses cancer patients and their caregivers who seek treatment on O‘ahu.
While Coaches vs. Cancer events are generally held near Christmas before the Diamond Head Classic, another multi-team event Hawai‘i hosts, the 2025 DHC was called off in February. Instead, it was decided that the event would be held during the Rainbow Classic, the longest-running MTE in the country with 59 editions.
The event, which ran from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., cut into Hawai‘i's contest, which was set for 7. Ganot understandably had to leave early.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here for this whole thing today. I have something in a little bit over there," Ganot told the crowd, pointing to the arena.
On the court, the Rainbow Warriors edged Utah Tech 68-62, winning consecutive Rainbow Classic titles for the first time since 2004. The 'Bows ran the table at the tournament, routing Mississippi Valley State 88-56 on Wednesday and Manhattan 86-56 on Friday.
Although the Rainbow Warriors never trailed on Saturday, a 7-0 run Trailblazers in less than a minute cut the UH lead to 57-56 with 3:08 remaining. Hawai‘i eventually held on despite turning the ball over 19 times compared to its 10 assists.
After the game, Ganot took to the mic again to address the Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 3,300, something that he acknowledged was rare in his postgame press conference.
"A special day with some really ugly moments on the floor, but perspective is everything. That's kind of where I'm at right now," said Ganot, an East Coast native now in his 15th total season on the Hawai‘i staff. "You immerse yourself in the culture of Hawai‘i, but you immerse yourself in everything Hawai‘i, the history of Hawai‘i, the history that we represent, the university, athletic department, basketball program, the Coaches vs. Cancer. We had the event today, which I really appreciate. A lot of gratitude right now. And I wish I could have been at the event longer.
"I don't think I had the opportunity like that before (to speak directly to the arena crowd), and I wanted to make sure they understood how much I appreciated my family and our guys, our extended family, to make us feel like home. I talk a lot about the power of the Hawai‘i fan base. It was an opportunity to do it there. Emotions kind of came in there, but it means a lot to me.
"I have my aunties and my Hawai‘i moms and Hawai‘i dads, and raising our daughter here, so even asking that is bringing some emotion, because it means a lot."
Dre Bullock had a game-high 23 points for the Rainbow Warriors, adding five rebounds, two steals, two assists and a block. He was also a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Bullock electrified the Stan Sheriff Center crowd with his high-flying in-game dunks. Bullock was also named to the All-Tournament team.
"To be honest, I'm kind of used to it now, so it's getting normal for me," said Bullock, a 6-foot-6 senior swingman playing for his fourth school in as many seasons.
(Aloha State Daily Staff) 
(Aloha State Daily Staff)
Senior big man Isaac Johnson was named the Rainbow Classic Most Outstanding Player after a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds against Utah Tech. Against Manhattan, he had 25 points and 11 rebounds, draining four 3-pointers.
"I can't lie. I got a little emotional as they were presenting our team the trophy," said Johnson, a senior Utah State transfer from American Fork, Utah. "I looked at my wife and just, the pride in her eyes for me, personally, I think that the people, that's the same kind of pride that they have for us and for the state of Hawai‘i, and so it's amazing to be able to bring that to them and show them that their pride is not ill-placed. They can be proud of us. And we're going to go out there and give them a show."
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
