Rain or Shine continued its strong surge in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, securing a convincing 126-112 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Demonstrating high energy and remarkable resilience despite an injury-hit roster, the Elasto Painters seized full control early and never looked back to notch their second consecutive win and improve their record to 2-1.

Behind a scorching start orchestrated by Santi Santillan and Gian Mamuyac, the Elasto Painters established dominance from the opening tip, eventually building a commanding 112-85 lead. It marked a second straight wire-to-wire win for Rain or Shine, showcasing not just talent but a relentless commitment to outwork opponents.

Compounding the significance of the victory was Rain or Shine’s depleted frontline, as Caelan Tiongson (back spasms) joined Beau Belga (vertigo) and Keith Datu (calf strain) on the sidelines. This forced head coach Yeng Guiao to rely heavily on his smaller but quicker lineup, deploying a fast-paced attack that Meralco struggled to match throughout the game.

Rain or Shine maximized its quickness advantage, pushing the tempo at every opportunity and relentlessly attacking Meralco’s defense. The strategy paid dividends, as the E-Painters consistently beat the Bolts in transition and found early offense opportunities that kept them a step ahead all night.

Santi Santillan led the E-Painters’ charge with an impressive 27-point, seven-rebound performance, providing stability and production on both ends of the floor. Gian Mamuyac and Adrian Nocum also delivered standout performances, with each tallying 24 points. Nocum, in particular, caught fire in the second half, scoring 22 of his total points during that stretch and helping Rain or Shine pull away for good.

Veteran Gabe Norwood anchored the middle, playing close to 38 minutes and contributing 12 points and five rebounds, while also offering leadership and defensive stability. Felix Lemetti chipped in 13 points, further highlighting the all-around effort by the Rain or Shine starters.

Despite missing key big men, Rain or Shine compensated with speed, aggressiveness, and precise execution. The E-Painters continually attacked Meralco’s defense before it could get set, forcing the Bolts to scramble and exposing gaps in their defensive rotations.

On the other hand, Meralco absorbed its third consecutive defeat, dropping to 2-3 overall. The Bolts out-rebounded Rain or Shine, 55-40, but were unable to translate that advantage into sustained momentum due to careless ball handling and turnovers. Meralco committed 20 turnovers, which Rain or Shine capitalized on for a decisive plus-10 margin in turnover points.

Bong Quinto was the bright spot for Meralco, finishing with 23 points, while CJ Cansino and Raymar Jose added 21 points apiece. Chris Banchero, back in action after a layoff, scored 14 points, but his efforts were not enough to shift the tide for the Bolts, who struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm against Rain or Shine’s aggressive defensive schemes.

Meralco attempted to counter Rain or Shine’s quickness by fielding smaller, more mobile lineups, but the strategy yielded only temporary success. Rain or Shine’s unrelenting pace and superior execution eventually wore down the Bolts, who could not keep up during the critical stretches of the third and fourth quarters.

Entering the halftime break, Rain or Shine led by only seven points, 66-59. However, a blistering third-quarter performance widened the gap dramatically as the E-Painters erupted for a 36-point quarter while limiting Meralco’s offensive chances. By the start of the final quarter, Rain or Shine had ballooned their lead to 20 points, 102-82, putting the game firmly out of reach.

The 126 points posted by Rain or Shine marked their highest scoring output so far in the season, an impressive feat considering their roster constraints. The victory underscored their depth, resilience, and ability to adapt, hallmarks of a team that could make serious noise in the Philippine Cup moving forward.

Meanwhile, Meralco faces urgent adjustments if it hopes to turn its campaign around. After consecutive losses, the Bolts must find ways to tighten their ball security and rediscover the defensive toughness that has been their calling card in previous seasons.

As the tournament progresses, Rain or Shine will aim to build on this momentum, banking on speed, chemistry, and heart to overcome further challenges and climb higher in the standings.