Anton Asistio proved to be Rain or Shine’s hero on Sunday night. The sharpshooting guard calmly sank four crucial free throws in the closing seconds to lift the Elasto Painters past Titan Ultra, 112-111, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Asistio’s game-winning charities came with just 2.1 seconds left, turning a 108-111 deficit into a one-point victory. Calvin Abueva’s last-second attempt for Titan failed to connect, sealing Rain or Shine’s second straight win for a 3-1 record.

Coach Yeng Guiao praised Asistio for executing the team’s final play perfectly — and going beyond expectations.

“We designed that last play for Anton, but we did not really anticipate that it was going to be a four-point shot. We thought that a 3 was enough,” Guiao said. “But it was Anton who used his natural intelligence to put up a four. We knew they were going to foul, so we told him that when he felt contact, to put up a shot — and that’s exactly what he did.”

Nocum, Santillan, Clarito power late-game rally

Asistio’s late heroics capped off strong efforts from Adrian Nocum, who fired 24 points before fouling out, and Santi Santillan, who delivered 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter. Jhonard Clarito also stepped up, contributing 19 points with eight coming in the final frame.

Despite the loss, Titan Ultra had its moments. Calvin Abueva finished with 31 points and 18 rebounds, while Aljun Melecio added 21. Joshua Munzon flirted with a triple-double, tallying 15 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

Titan looked poised to end its skid after hitting 13 triples — 12 of them coming in the first three quarters — to build an 85-66 lead in the third period. But Rain or Shine clawed back, cutting the deficit to 81-92 entering the fourth and outscoring Titan down the stretch.

“I’m really happy with the endgame, but for the first three quarters I wasn’t that happy. We were struggling,” Guiao admitted. “I think the more important thing is we found ways to win.”