MANILA, Philippines –  The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters earned the final ticket to the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals and continued their incredible run with a fourth consecutive Final Four appearance in the all-Filipino conference after defeating the NLEX Road Warriors 103-92 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in an exciting twin-kill.

Rain or Shine overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of second-seeded NLEX by displaying poise, grit, and a well-balanced team effort after forcing a sudden-death game with a 92–89 escape three nights prior. Under the leadership of seasoned tactician Yeng Guiao, the Elasto Painters overcame the odds and defeated the Road Warriors in yet another thrilling comeback victory by relying on their signature hustle and tenacity.

NLEX got off to a fast start, taking a 27–21 lead in the opening quarter and holding a slender 55–52 edge at the half. Guard Robert Bolick scored 34 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in an offensive masterclass. He produced bursts of genius throughout the game, and his unrelenting shooting put the Road Warriors in control for a large portion of the first half.

However, Rain or Shine, a squad that has been used to overcoming hardship, steadily reduced the gap. Late in the third quarter, the Elasto Painters seized the lead and led 78-77 going into the final period. They then went on to pull off a spectacular 25–15 run in the fourth quarter, blowing the game open and decisively ending the series.

With 24 points and 9 rebounds, Santi Santillan spearheaded the attack, displaying his timely shooting and inside presence. Andrei Caracut, who scored 16 points off the bench, and Jhonard Clarito, who scored 13 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, maintained their strong postseason play. Mike Malonzo contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Anton Asistio contributed 11 points. Caelan Tiongson and Gian Mamuyac also contributed, scoring a combined 17 points, showcasing Rain or Shine’s extensive rotation and team mentality.

Bolick put out a valiant attempt, but NLEX was unable to secure steady offensive backing. Raul Ramirez scored ten points and JB Bahio contributed eleven, but the rest of the club was unable to match Rain or Shine’s energy throughout the pivotal second half. The Elasto Painters gained momentum and the Road Warriors were unable to stop it, especially in the fourth quarter when Rain or Shine tightened their defense and took advantage of every chance.

NLEX had great expectations going into the playoffs with a two-to-beat cushion, thus the result was a sad exit. But consecutive defeats revealed weaknesses in their late-game play and their incapacity to regulate the pace when it counted most.

In addition to pulling off an unlikely shock in the quarterfinals, Rain or Shine’s victory sets up a thrilling semifinal matchup with the TNT Tropang Giga. The two teams will face off in the penultimate round of a conference for the third time this season; they have also faced off in the Governors’ and Commissioners’ Cup semifinals. Riding high on the excitement of a Grand Slam bid, TNT will take against a Rain or Shine squad full of cohesion and confidence.

Yeng Guiao, the head coach and a personification of tough basketball, commended his team’s perseverance and hard work. The Elasto Painters had no room for mistake going into the series, but they overcame the odds and the weariness of playing back-to-back elimination games by relying on hustle and discipline, which they internally referred to as “buwis-buhay” basketball. With several players stepping up in high-pressure moments, the team’s attitude was based on teamwork and faith in the system.

With Adrian Nocum scoring 20 points and Clarito pulling down 21 rebounds, the Elasto Painters’ opening victory of the series was equally spectacular. Rain or Shine’s victory set the tone for the crucial match and proved that they were a real threat, even though they were seeded lower.

Scores at the end of the match

Rain or Shine 103

Individual scores: Santillan 24, Caracut 16, Clarito 13, Asistio 11, Malonzo 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Nocum 5, Norwood 4, Porter 3, Datu 0.

NLEX 92

Individual scores: Bolick 34, Bahio 11, Ramirez 10, Mocon 9, Fajardo 7, Semerad 6, Policarpio 5, Torres 4, Nieto 2, Valdez 2, Alas 2.

Scores per quarter

21-27, 52-55, 78-77, 103-92