All news tagged RainorShineElastoPainters

Even as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters continue to pile up victories in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, injuries remain an unwelcome part of their journey.

Already missing key players Caelan Tiongson and Stanley Pringle, the Elasto Painters suffered another setback after big man Keith Datu went down with an apparent knee injury during their 91-80 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Datu, who had been dealing with knee issues prior to the game, slipped and fell hard midway through the third quarter. He was helped to the bench and did not return, finishing with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in what was his most active showing of the conference so far.

Coach Yeng Guiao expressed concern over Datu’s condition, saying that the team will still wait for results from medical tests to determine the severity of the injury.

“I don’t know exactly what his status is or how serious the injury might be,” Guiao said. “He’s already been having issues with his knees before, which is why we’ve been focusing on strengthening his lower body. And now this happened.”

The absence of Datu leaves Rain or Shine thin in the middle, with Caelan Tiongson still nursing an injury and veteran Beau Belga playing limited minutes as he recovers from vertigo earlier this year.

Despite the setbacks, the Elasto Painters extended their winning run to four games, improving to a 5-1 record to seize solo first place in the standings. Guiao acknowledged that managing player health while maintaining competitiveness will be a tough balancing act heading into the next stretch of the eliminations.

“It’s tough because we’re managing Beau’s minutes, and now Keith’s dealing with an injury. Then there’s Caelan who’s also hurt. We might end up playing all guards at this rate,” Guiao joked, though his concern was evident.

Rain or Shine now shifts focus to its next assignment against the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, hoping for a positive update on Datu’s condition before they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks.

When the game was on the line, Anton Asistio stepped up and delivered.

The sharpshooting guard calmly sank four crucial free throws in the dying seconds to power Rain or Shine Elasto Painters past Titan Ultra, 112-111, in a heart-stopping PBA Philippine Cup clash on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Down 108-111 with just over two seconds left, Asistio drew a foul from beyond the arc and coolly converted all his free throws to complete Rain or Shine’s dramatic comeback and secure their second straight win, improving to 3-1 in the standings.

Head coach Yeng Guiao lauded Asistio’s composure and quick thinking in executing the play perfectly under pressure.

“We designed that last play for Anton, but we did not really anticipate that it was going to be a four-point shot,” said Guiao. “We knew they were going to foul, so we told him—when you feel the foul coming, put up the shot. That’s exactly what he did.”

The clutch moment capped off a strong all-around team performance. Adrian Nocum led the E-Painters with 24 points before fouling out, while Santi Santillan poured in 21 points—including 13 in the fourth quarter—to spearhead the rally. Jhonard Clarito added 19 markers, eight of which came in the final frame.

Despite a big night from Calvin Abueva, who finished with 31 points and 18 rebounds, Titan Ultra fell short and dropped to 1-4. Aljun Melecio chipped in 21, while Joshua Munzon came close to a triple-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

Titan looked in full control after building an 85-66 lead in the third quarter behind a barrage of three-pointers, but Rain or Shine’s relentless fightback flipped the script.

“I’m really happy with the endgame, but for the first three quarters, I wasn’t that happy,” Guiao admitted. “The important thing is, we found ways to win.”

With momentum on their side and confidence growing, Rain or Shine continues to show the grit and chemistry that define a true contender in this year’s Philippine Cup.

When the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters tip off their 2025 PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Ynares Center in Montalban, it will mark the beginning of the end for one of Philippine basketball’s most admired careers. 

Gabe Norwood, the heart and soul of Rain or Shine for 17 years, announced this conference will be his final run in the league—a farewell to an era defined by loyalty, leadership, and longevity.

Here are five moments that shaped Norwood’s storied career:

1. 2012 Governors’ Cup Championship

Norwood helped deliver Rain or Shine’s breakthrough PBA title, stepping up in a tense Game 7 win over B-Meg. With Paul Lee sidelined by injury, Norwood’s leadership and grit were crucial in etching the Elasto Painters’ names in league history.

2. The Dunk Heard Around the World – 2014 FIBA World Cup

In Seville, Spain, Norwood soared for a thunderous poster dunk over NBA veteran Luis Scola—an iconic highlight that went viral and was nominated as one of FIBA’s “Dunks of the Decade.” It captured the world’s respect for Philippine basketball.

3. 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Championship

Rain or Shine’s resilience under Norwood’s steady presence culminated in their second franchise title, overcoming adversity and four different imports to outlast Alaska in the finals.

4. The 29-Point Outburst

In a do-or-die game for a semifinal slot, Norwood delivered a career-high 29 points, showcasing his ability to rise to the challenge when it mattered most—even in defeat.

5. A Career of Unwavering Loyalty

Seventeen years with Rain or Shine puts Norwood among the league’s most loyal players, joining the likes of Mark Caguioa and Alvin Patrimonio. Across 674 games, his stats—7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks—tell only part of the story. His defensive prowess, quiet leadership, and professionalism define his true legacy.

As Gabe Norwood enters his farewell season, he leaves behind more than numbers and highlights—he leaves a blueprint of class, character, and what it truly means to be “All Heart.” For his team and the fans, Norwood’s final chapter is a celebration of a career built on commitment and integrity.

“The journey has been nothing short of incredi­ble, I poured everything I have everything into this game and in return, it has given me more than I could ever ask for. That’s why today, I wan­na share with you all, that this upcoming Philippine Cup will be my last. One last conference, one last run, one last flight,” Norwood said. 

Rain or Shine has issued tender offers to rookies Christian Manaytay, Jun Roque, Mark Denver Omega, Deo Cuajao, and Joshua David, head coach Yeng Guiao confirmed. 

By extending the offers, the Elasto Painters have retained the signing rights of their five draft picks from the first two rounds of the recent PBA Draft.

Rain or Shine, which reached the semifinals in all three conferences of the 49th season, had the most selections in the first two rounds this year, including two first-rounders.

Left out of the team’s plans are third-rounder Cole Micek (No. 34 pick), fourth-rounder Kyle Tolentino (No. 45), and fifth-rounder MJ Dela Virgen (No. 55), who all become free agents after not receiving tender offers.

Contracts with the five rookies are not yet finalized, as each is still committed to ongoing stints in other leagues. 

Manaytay, the 10th overall pick, is currently playing with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the MPBL, while Roque, selected 12th, is set to finish his NCAA campaign with Letran. Omega (No. 20) and Cuajao (No. 22) are also suiting up for Letran in the NCAA, while David (No. 24) is with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL. Both leagues are scheduled to conclude their seasons in December.

Despite these commitments, all five draftees attended Rain or Shine practices shortly after the draft to integrate with the team.

“Hindi naman kami nagmamadali with regards to the rookies,” Guiao said, emphasizing that the Elasto Painters are willing to wait for their full availability.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic about his newest rookie class after selecting eight players in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft. 

“You might get surprised by any of these guys,” Guiao said, emphasizing the group’s upside.

The Elasto Painters picked UST’s Christian Manaytay (10th overall) and Letran’s Arthur Roque (12th) in the first round, then added Mark Omega, Vince Cuajao, Joshua David, Cole Micek, Kyle Tolentino, and MJ Dela Virgen in later rounds.

Guiao believes the group is high on potential, even without a ready-made superstar, and is hopeful some could become Rain or Shine’s next breakout performers. 

“I think we do not have a ready-made superstar that will make an immediate impact, but I feel the potential of these guys is on the high side. We’re always looking for those finds and there’s an opportunity to draft these guys, see them in practice and make a decision.” Guiao explained. 
“Who knows, somebody there could be the next Jhonard Clarito or Adrian Nocum,” he added.

The team also added veteran guard Stanley Pringle in free agency to provide leadership as they aim for a finals berth after four straight semifinal appearances.

Rain or Shine Coach Yeng Guiao expressed confidence in the team's future, despite the disappointment of another semifinal exit.

“We couldn't close it out, we couldn't make the big plays when we needed them most.

But we still look at it as a positive development for the team. I think it adds to the experience and knowledge of our young players.”

He firmly believes that rather than a sweeping overhaul, the current roster simply requires targeted enhancements, particularly with the anticipated return of key players Beau Belga, Luis Villegas, and Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti from injury.

It will be the best two words in sports for the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel series, while TNT Tropang 5G kept their grand slam hopes alive after dismantling the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in six games on Sunday, July 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jordan Heading exploded for 29 points, to go along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead TNT in securing the pivotal win that put them back in the PBA Finals for the third straight conference this season and gave them a chance to claim the first-ever grand slam in franchise history.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 17 markers, five boards, two dimes, and three rejections to help the Tropang 5G clinch the ticket to the championship round.

Three more TNT players poured in double digits in the team’s victory. Glenn Khobuntin finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana ended with 13 and 12, respectively.

"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs, and we figured whoever it is we need to beat—and if we need to beat them twice—then so be it," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup journey.

"Number two, we came together... and that's what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw today, these guys—they don't know the meaning of quit," he added.

San Miguel Beermen dominated Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107-82, on Wednesday, June 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

CJ Perez led the charge for the Beermen, who unleashed a 17-0 run in the deciding period to secure the win and tie the series at 2-2. Perez finished with 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and a block in nearly 35 minutes of action.

He was followed by Juami Tiongson with 14 points and June Mar Fajardo, who added 12 markers, a game-high 19 boards, three assists, two steals, and a block to help San Miguel take the crucial victory.

Three other Beermen scored in double digits, with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial contributing 12 points apiece, while Don Trollano added 11.

A crucial battle awaits on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where both teams aim to take a pivotal 3-2 series lead and move closer to the Finals.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally snatched a win in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-finals series against the TNT Tropang 5G, 107-86, on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Anton Asistio scored a personal playoff-high 24 points to lead Rain or Shine in their first win of the best-of-seven affair. He also added six assists and a rebound to his stat line, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range and 2-of-3 from the four-point arc, in just 28 minutes and 11 seconds off the bench.

Caelan Tiongson followed with 16 markers, four boards, one assist, and a rejection, while Keith Datu tallied a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and one block.

Two more Elasto Painters scored in double figures—Leonard Santillan finished with 12 markers on top of eight boards, one assist, and one deflection, while Andrei Caracut added 10 points, four assists, and four steals.

Roger Ray Pogoy poured in 28 points to lead the TNT Tropang 5G past the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 98-91, in Game 1 of their Semi-Finals series on Wednesday, June 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Aside from his 28 markers, the sharpshooting guard also grabbed two rebounds and dished out four assists while playing a game-high 36 minutes to anchor TNT’s victory.

As the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-finals open on Wednesday, June 25, the grand slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G and the "gate-crashing" Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will begin their best-of-seven clash at 5:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It will be a battle between two teams with contrasting styles. TNT prefers to limit opponents to under 100 points per game, while Rain or Shine thrives on a fast-paced game and aims to put up big numbers whenever possible.

Both teams posted identical 8-5 records after the elimination and quarterfinal rounds. They also overcame twice-to-beat disadvantages to secure their spots in the Final Four.

The NLEX Road Warriors and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters came out victorious at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, to boost their campaign in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

NLEX stretched its winning streak to four games with a hard-fought 89-86 win over Barangay Ginebra, surviving a fourth-quarter scare led by Gin Kings guard Stephen Holt.

Despite playing with a bruised quadriceps, Robert Bolick still led the Road Warriors with 28 points on an efficient 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, while adding seven rebounds and four assists. He even delivered timely baskets in the last two minutes of the game to secure their 89-86 victory against the Kings.

Xyrus Torres hit the go-ahead triple to give NLEX an 87-86 lead with under a minute remaining. Brandon Ramirez and Kevin Alas also scored in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively, although Ramirez exited early due to a suspected dislocated jaw after an accidental hit from Jamie Malonzo.

The Road Warriors improved to 4-1, while Ginebra dropped to an even 2-2 record.

Holt finished with 21 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter alone to pace Ginebra, while Scottie Thompson added 20. Ginebra had a chance to win it in the closing seconds, but missed its final two attempts from the field.

The TNT Tropang Giga took a step closer to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals after outlasting the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 93-85, on Wednesday night, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Calvin Oftana spearheaded TNT’s attack, delivering a stellar 26-point performance along with three rebounds and four assists. RR Pogoy complemented his effort with an all-around showing, posting 22 markers, four boards, three dimes, a steal, and a block.

In the post-game interview, Oftana dedicated the win to veteran guard Jayson Castro, who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.

“Malaking bagay na wala si Kuya Jayson. Itong remaining games namin, inoffer namin sa kanya,” said Oftana.

“Big factor si Kuya Jayson sa amin, pero hindi lang isang tao ang makakapuno sa kawalan niya. Kailangan namin magtulungan bilang isang team,” he added.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally broke their two-game skid, securing a crucial 103-98 victory in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Semi-Finals series against the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday night, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Deon Thompson led the charge for Rain or Shine, delivering a double-double performance with 19 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in over 44 minutes of action. His dominance in the paint and relentless effort on both ends of the floor helped RoS stay competitive throughout the game.

Caelan Tiongson also played a vital role in the win, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Adrian Nocum, who started once again, showcased another impressive outing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Supporting the trio was Anton Asistio, who chipped in 12 points, including two clutch three-pointers, while Gian Mamuyac added nine points and was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all four of his attempts.

The TNT Tropang Giga showcased their strong defense with crucial stops in the final moments to secure an 88-84 win over Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinal series on Wednesday night, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite being ahead by just three points with 1:59 left in the game, TNT shut down Rain or Shine's offense. The Tropang Giga capitalized on the Elasto Painters’ mistakes, forcing four turnovers, including a crucial steal by RR Pogoy off an inbound pass from Andrei Caracut with just three seconds remaining after a timeout.

Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao designed a play for a potential game-tying four-point shot, but the attempt was spoiled by a bad pass.

While RoS struggled in the final moments, TNT’s shooting, especially from beyond the arc, was on point. They hit 14-of-34 three-pointers, with Jayson Castro and Calvin Oftana leading the charge. Castro scored six three-pointers, missing only one, while Oftana also nailed six.

Rain or Shine came back strong from a tough Game 1 loss to win the next two and book a ticket to the semifinals for the third straight conference after dismantling Converge in Game 3 of their quarterfinals match-up of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, 112-103, on Sunday night, February 9, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Elasto Painters reinforcement Deon Thompson made up for his early exit in their first QF encounter when he fouled out of the game just as early as the third quarter.

Last night, Thompson showed his might finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. He was supported by Adrian Nocum who fired 25 markers. These two were also the reason why they won Game 2, when they combined for a total of 55.

RoS head coach Yeng Guiao said they were happy with the victory and their hard work paid off.

"We're very happy. The past two conferences we made the semifinals so it would be a pity if we did not make the semifinals this conference," Guiao shared.

"It's also a validation of all the hard work the guys put in, the togetherness and the camaraderie that they have," he added.

Converge gained a head start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals showdown after earning a 130-118 victory over Rain or Shine on Wednesday, February 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Justin Arana delivered an outstanding performance after recovering from a knee injury that saw the FiberXers overcome a 17-point deficit to win the first game of the best-of-three quarterfinals. 

He finished with 22 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Import Cheick Diallo led the charge, firing 35 markers on top of 17 boards and three rejections in the win which saw him and the FiberXers take advantage of the early withdrawal of Rain or Shine counterpart Deon Thomspon in the third frame due to six fouls.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots dominated the import-less Meralco Bolts, 129-92, last night, January 31, at the Philsports Arena to force a do-or-die match on Sunday for the 8th and final spot of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Ricardo Ratliffe waxed hot in the opening half as he took advantage of the absence of Meralco’s reinforcement, Akil Mitchell, who sat out for the second straight game due to back spasm.

The hulking Magnolia import already produced 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field going into the break. He also grabbed nine boards, two assists, and one steal before halftime.

Ratliffe finished with 31 markers, 19 boards, four assists, and two steals, against two fouls and one turnover.

Barangay Ginebra blasts off Rain or Shine, 120-92, registering their biggest winning margin in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, January 22.

Head coach Tim Cone called it the Gin Kings' "best game" of the conference as they got back on track after dropping their last two games, improving to 7-4 and moving up to sixth place with one game left in the elimination stage.

“We hadn’t put a good game together this conference and tonight was one of those games where everything came together. We played well defensively, we executed really well offensively, and we shot the ball well,” said Cone.

“It was really our best game of the conference and it couldn’t come at a better time right now when we’re struggling to get into that top six position and getting ready for the playoffs,” he added.

The Converge FiberXers defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 103-96, in their match-up last night, January 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Converge victory gave the squad the solo second spot with a 7-3 card in the team standings, just a half-game behind the lead-leading NorthPort Batang Pier (7-2), who just lost their game earlier against the Meralco Bolts, 94-111.