The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters controlled much of the game, endured some tense moments early in the fourth, and held on for a 105-98 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. With the win, Rain or Shine finally barged into the win column of the PBA Governors’ Cup after opening with back-to-back losses. The loss drops Phoenix to 2-1.
What Happened?
Aaron Fuller (13) and Adrian Nocum (12) combined for 25 first-quarter points to lead Rain or Shine to a 30-25 lead after one. The Elasto Painters fired 30 more markers in the second, with second stringers like Luis Villegas and Deo Cuajao contributing to help Rain or Shine take a 60-50 lead into intermission.
Rain or Shine continued its strong play after the break, building as much as a 78-58 lead with a little over five minutes left in the third. Phoenix, though, ended the third on a 15-2 run to cut the lead to 80-73 heading into the final frame. Back-to-back treys to start the fourth nudged the Fuel Masters to within 80-79, but the Elasto Painters answered with an 11-2 spurt sparked by an Andrei Caracut triple. Rain or Shine extended the lead to 99-84 on a Fuller lay-in and then fended off Phoenix’s final rally that saw it get to within 102-98 with under a minute left.
Who Stood Out?
Fuller, who bagged Best Player of the Game honors, continued his strong play for Rain or Shine with a game-high 28 points to go along with 16 rebounds. He also shot a hyper-efficient 11-for-16 overall. Nocum starred as well with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists as he continued to assume more of a primary playmaker role. Caracut tallied 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals and was a steadying presence for the Elasto Painters in the fourth.
Import BJ Johnson top-scored for Phoenix with 27 points but was just 8-for-23 from the field. Kenneth Tuffin provided additional firepower with 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting on top of 8 boards.
3 Keys to the Game
- Interior scoring. With Fuller playing bully ball in the post, Rain or Shine outscored Phoenix, 56-32, to offset the latter’s 48-33 advantage in perimeter points. Crucially, the Elasto Painters went inside in the fourth, feeding Fuller the ball in the paint to reestablish control.
- Ball movement. Yeng Guiao wants his team moving the ball instead of relying on one-on-one plays. On Tuesday, the Elasto Painters did exactly that, as evidenced by the 29-17 advantage they had in assists. Nocum typified this approach, recording 8 assists for himself. Villegas added 4, including a couple to Fuller inside for easy baskets.
- Fourth-quarter poise. When Phoenix threatened to wipe out every bit of Rain or Shine’s 20-point lead, it looked as if the latter would crumble. But Caracut hit that booming three from the left quarter court, and the Elasto Painters kept their composure thereafter.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | Ynares Center – Antipolo
- TNT Tropang 5G vs. Titan Ultra Giant Risers (5:15 p.m.)
- Converge FiberXers vs. San Miguel Beermen (7:30 p.m.)
