Rain or Shine isn’t done yet in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. Facing elimination, the Elasto Painters used a dominant third-quarter surge to crush TNT, 113-97, Friday, July 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The win narrowed TNT’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-2 and gave the Elasto Painters new life heading into Game 6 on Sunday.

“It’s the closest we’ve been to the finals,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. “We survived another day. At least naka-dalawang panalo na kami sa semis.”

Big break, bigger response

Already without Roger Pogoy and Kelly Williams due to injuries, TNT also missed head coach Chot Reyes, who served a one-game suspension after picking up his fifth technical in Game 4. That match saw TNT dominate the third quarter, 39-22. This time, Rain or Shine returned the favor with a 37-12 beatdown in the third, flipping the game in their favor.
The E-Painters took a 93-64 lead after capitalizing on TNT’s 4-of-19 shooting and 17 points off eight turnovers in the quarter. “Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yung third quarter,” Guiao said. “It was really the defense. We weren’t able to contain Calvin (Oftana) in the first half.”

Turning off TNT’s firepower

Oftana torched Rain or Shine for 21 points before halftime but was limited to just three the rest of the way. “We were just hoping he’d get tired a little bit,” Guiao noted. “That helped us break away in the third.”

The E-Painters imposed their pace and were never threatened again. Gian Mamuyac led with 22 points, while Jhonard Clarito added 19. Five players scored in double digits for Rain or Shine.

TNT’s offense stalls

Simon Enciso fired 20 points in the second half, but Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jordan Heading—who combined for 45 in Game 4—were held to just seven total. With the game out of reach early in the fourth, both teams rested key players in preparation for Sunday’s do-or-die Game 6.