MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defeated the TNT Tropang 5G 91-89 on the road in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday night, taking the lead in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup standings in a grueling display of late-game tenacity. With the victory, Rain or Shine moved up to the top of the league halfway through the eliminations with six victories and two losses.

With 15 three-pointers and a two-point deficit at the end, the Tropang had a great performance going into the game. The Elasto Painters, however, resisted giving in to pressure. They had a seven-point deficit going into the fourth quarter, but they blew up with an early 10-0 run that turned the tide in their favor. Rain or Shine held off Tropang’s drive in the closing minutes, led by the seasoned presence of Gabe Norwood, who finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in what might have been his farewell game in Cagayan de Oro. He was also supported by timely contributions from Jhonard Clarito and Andrei Caracut.

Both Caracut and Clarito produced crucial plays in the closing minutes. With less than a minute left, Rain or Shine had an 89-88 lead thanks to Clarito’s put-back, and Caracut’s running shot at the buzzer effectively sealed the win. Adrian Nocum’s missed free throws and a last-second loose-ball scramble gave TNT a chance to tie the score, but they were unable to convert, and the Elasto Painters forced the closeout.

With a league-best three-point shooting average, TNT’s offense was successful in the early and mid-game but struggled in the payout phase. The Tropang 5G wasted their opportunity when it mattered most, and now they are tied for second place at 5-2 after managing 18 points in the second half and posing a threat in the last two minutes.

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of this victory for Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. The timing couldn’t be better as a roster full of veterans quietly reasserts itself in the standings. The team was inspired by Norwood’s performance, and younger players like Gian Mamuyac, who scored 14 points during the game, seemed to be inspired by his leadership.

The reversal by the Elasto Painters was the perfect example of poise under duress. Rain or Shine avoided the lurch and carried out a precise counter-plan after falling behind in crunch time and letting TNT convert several inside-outs and kick-outs for threes. The team’s readiness and hunger were demonstrated by their 10–0 outburst to start the fourth.

Rain or Shine will continue to hold the top seed lead and will now have to protect it in the crowded top half of the rankings. They might stand out from the crowd due to their ability to execute well in the closing minutes of games and maintain composure under duress.

Conversely, TNT is facing an introspective period. They looked in control for extended periods of time and soared with the three-ball, but that result was actually the product of unforced errors at the worst possible moment. The Tropang 5G needs to get back together fast and strengthen their closing fundamentals after this loss if they wish to stay out of a densely packed log jam.

In conclusion, the word from the Elasto Painters has been delivered. They plan to take the lead, not just compete. It serves as a warning to the Tropang that skill and shooting are insufficient on their own. The desire to finish and execution in the closing minutes are still crucial in the pursuit of postseason positioning.

Rain or Shine is a good choice in games against mid-tier clubs because of their capacity to perform well under duress and win close games. TNT should be cautiously backed in spreads due to their reliance on three-point shooting and late-game errors. In hotly contested games, Rain or Shine should cover small margins, whereas TNT might find it difficult to hold onto leads in the closing minutes.