‘Lucky’ Rain or Shine continues to surprise with Game 1 stunner vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao has regularly downplayed Rain or Shine’s gem of a run in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, not out of modesty, but due to a deep understanding of how hard it is for an independent team like the Elasto Painters to win it all.

But somehow, Rain or Shine is getting closer and closer to that goal.

The Elasto Painters drew first blood against Barangay Ginebra in their best-of-seven duel following a thrilling 115-111 win on Wednesday, May 20, in Antipolo City, marking the first time Rain or Shine won a semifinals opener in seven years. 

“I’m really proud of the guys because all we wanted was to show up and compete. To play against a team like Barangay San Miguel — with a [greatest of all time] import, a [greatest of all time] coach, half of the Gilas team, and the probable Best Player of the Conference in their team — who are we compared to them? Let’s just fight and see how far we can go,” said Guiao in a mix of Filipino and English.

The odds were against the Elasto Painters down the stretch as the Gin Kings grabbed a 107-102 lead off a booming three-pointer by BPC contender RJ Abarrientos with 2:20 minutes left, but Rain or Shine answered with a back-breaking 10-0 run anchored by import Jaylen Johnson, Jhonard Clarito, and Gian Mamuyac to steal the win. 

Johnson finished with a dominant 40-point, 19-rebound double-double laced with 3 assists and 2 steals, Clarito turned in 25 points , 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Mamuyac chimed in 18 points and 5 assists — the trio combining for 33 of the Elasto Painters’ 41 fourth-quarter points. 

“We got one lucky win — let’s see how many lucky breaks we can get. We’re just guys sent out to buy vinegar, and somehow, we made it to the semifinals. Let’s see. But a lot of respect to Ginebra. We just fought hard,” quipped Guiao. 

Guiao, though, knows winning the series opener does not guarantee anything.

In fact, the last time Rain or Shine clinched Game 1 of a semifinals, it went to lose in seven games to Magnolia in the 2019 Philippine Cup, falling in the do-or-die Game 7 by a mere possession in overtime. 

Conquering a Gin Kings crew that has consistently reached the finals with import Justin Brownlee in tow is doubly hard.

Out of his 12 previous tours of duty since he started his PBA career in 2016, Brownlee led Ginebra to six championships and nine finals appearances. Curiously, it was also in 2016 when the Elasto Painters last made the finals and won a title. 

“It’s really encouraging to win Game 1 against a tough team like Ginebra — that boosts our morale. But the series is long. It’s a seven-game series. They’re very talented and very experienced in situations like this. Us? We just show up and fight,” said Guiao. 

“This is a really good game for the fans. I’m happy that whenever they watch Rain or Shine, whether we win or lose, they enjoy it. Whether they’re rooting for us or not, I just want the fans to enjoy.”

Rain or Shine shoots for a 2-0 lead in Game 2 on Friday, May 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena, preferably with Caelan Tiongson and Luis Villegas back on board.

Tiongson missed the opener due to a bum stomach, while Villegas exited Game 1 due to a reported hamstring injury.

“We lost a lot of players already but we’re still there fighting,” said Guiao. – Rappler.com