MANILA, Philippines – As he guides the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters into the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, veteran coach Yeng Guiao proudly dons the moniker “gate-crasher.” Defying expectations, the seventh-seeded team secured their fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four of the all-Filipino championship by defeating the twice-to-beat NLEX Road Warriors in back-to-back victories.

Their most recent success, a resounding 103-92 win at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, was evidence of their perseverance, discipline, and faith. It also served as a reminder that Rain or Shine is still a powerful force in the league even though they aren’t regarded as one of the best teams in terms of financial resources or superstar power.

Guiao views the semifinal spot as more than just a tactical victory. It validates the individuality and tenacity of a group that many had written off. TNT Tropang Giga, San Miguel Beermen, and Barangay Ginebra, the PBA’s enduring powerhouses, hosted a party that the outspoken coach likened to his team’s ascent. These teams control the league’s top tier in terms of resources and expectations since they are supported by significant corporate sponsors and fervent fan bases. Rain or Shine, on the other hand, is an unwelcome guest who simply won’t leave the dance floor, according to Guiao.

He noted that Rain or Shine mostly depends on perseverance, discipline, and a well-trained system, whereas other franchises benefit from lengthy rotations full of well-known performers and expensive support systems. The players embrace a style of basketball that Guiao lovingly calls “buwis-buhay,” which translates to “life-risking” in Filipino and perfectly captures their aggressive, daring style of play. They were able to compete and even win against a deeper and more favored NLEX group because of their dedication.

It wasn’t an easy journey to the semifinals. Rain or Shine’s 92-89 surprise victory over NLEX in the quarterfinals’ first game triggered a sudden-death match. Adrian Nocum scored 20 points, while Jhonard Clarito had an incredible double-double of 20 points and 21 rebounds in that game-or-die contest. The second game was dominated by Leonard Santillan, who finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. That performance set the tone for the contest. The team’s increasing depth and confidence going into the semifinals was highlighted by Santillan’s performance.

Guiao was keen to give his whole team credit for adopting the system. He underlined that the team’s dedication to their style of play has been crucial, even though they are thought of as underdogs. Under Guiao’s direction, each player understands his position and plays it with discipline and energy. This approach has continuously produced success.

After winning the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup earlier this season, Rain or Shine is now getting ready for a semifinal matchup against TNT Tropang Giga, a team on a historic quest for a Grand Slam. Rain or Shine and TNT will now play one other in a playoff series for the third time this year. Although TNT won both of their prior matches, Rain or Shine thinks their knowledge of TNT’s patterns may work to their advantage this time.

Rain or Shine isn’t content to merely be in the semifinals, as Guiao made plain while acknowledging the enormous challenge of beating TNT. He claimed that the team is as focused and resolute as their more well-known rival. Rain or Shine is ready to fight every possession and take advantage of every chance to thwart TNT’s Grand Slam hopes as the series moves to the Mall of Asia Arena this Wednesday.

The two teams’ relationship is full of storylines: one is a high-budget powerhouse with a core capable of winning a title, while the other is a resilient underdog driven by system, sweat, and faith in themselves. Guiao has positioned his team as competitors in their own right—tough and fearless—rather than as spoilers.

Beyond the tactics and methods, Rain or Shine’s path to the semifinals demonstrates how dedication, camaraderie, and a distinct identity can upend the existing quo. While TNT, San Miguel, and Ginebra receive much of the league’s attention, the Elasto Painters are quietly, tenaciously, and, as Guiao would say, unapologetically crashing the party, continuing to create their own legend.

Rain or Shine will once more act as a disruptor as the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals draw near. However, if their journey to the quarterfinals has shown anything, it is that they are not merely crashing the gate; rather, they are opening it wide.