Rain or Shine finally found its footing — and picked the perfect opponent to do it against.

The Elasto Painters snapped their own two-game losing skid and ended Phoenix’s unbeaten run in one stroke, pulling off a wire-to-wire 105-98 win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Tuesday, July 21.

Rain or Shine entered the night 0-2, having dropped their openers to Blackwater (108-131) and Meralco (114-122). Playing with a clear sense of urgency, the Elasto Painters notched their first win of the conference while handing the Fuel Masters their first loss in four outings.

Guiao’s Desperate Elasto Painters Find Their Groove

“It’s all about effort. We gave emphasis on playing defense and in getting the rebounds and we did that tonight,” said Aaron Fuller, who anchored the win with game-highs of 28 points and 16 rebounds.

Coach Yeng Guiao didn’t mince words about the pressure his team faced entering the game.

“Medyo malapit na kaming maging desperado, at kailangan manalo (We were getting close to becoming desperate, and we needed to win),” Guiao said. “Doon sa previous games, talo kami sa rebounding and we gave up a high-percentage shooting. We made it a point na pagsikapan na makadepensa at maka-rebound kami (We made it a point to focus on defending and rebounding).”

The turnaround showed. Rain or Shine dominated the boards and turned in a season-best distribution mark, dishing out 29 assists to Phoenix’s 17.

“We got 29 assists, magandang pangitain iyon (that’s a good sign),” Guiao said, adding that he hopes the effort carries over when the Elasto Painters face Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.

Rivero’s Ejection, Phoenix’s Rally Fall Short

Rain or Shine controlled the game from start to finish, building a lead as large as 20 points and never letting Phoenix get in front at any stage.

The Fuel Masters’ night got tougher in the third quarter when ace gunner Ricci Rivero was ejected after picking up technical infractions.

Robert Johnson III did his best to keep Phoenix alive, finishing with 27 points and 11 rebounds. The Fuel Masters clawed back to within a point early in the fourth quarter and trimmed the deficit to four in the closing stretch, but Rain or Shine refused to blink.

The result handed Phoenix its first defeat of the conference after previous wins over Magnolia, Meralco and Ginebra.

Adrian Nocum added 18 points, while Mike Malonzo chipped in 12 alongside Caelan Tiongson for Rain or Shine.

Ken Tuffin, Jason Perkins and Tyler Tio scored 16, 12 and 12 points, respectively, for Phoenix. Gian Mamuyac finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists in his first meeting against his former team.