Rain or Shine overcame a poor shooting night to secure a 90-84 win over Converge and claim the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center-Montalban Sunday, December 7. The Elasto Painters recovered from a 14-point deficit with relentless effort and key plays in the fourth quarter.

Gian Mamuyac led the charge, delivering 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists. His defensive stops and a critical three-pointer with two minutes remaining effectively sealed the win for the FiberXers, who relied on collective execution to overcome their shooting struggles.

Coach Yeng Guiao praised the team’s resilience despite missed shots and free throws. “It’s pure effort. We had lots of open looks but couldn’t convert. We just kept working,” he said, noting Converge’s Justin Arana was sidelined due to foul trouble and a prior injury.

Juan Gomez de Liano spearheaded Converge with 20 points and nine rebounds, supported by Larry Muyang’s 18 points and nine boards and Justine Baltazar’s 10 points with 21 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Converge could not contain Rain or Shine in the crucial final stretch.

Mamuyac delivers in crunch time

Mamuyac’s impact on both ends was pivotal in the fourth quarter. He held Gomez de Liano scoreless during a decisive stretch and nailed a key three-pointer that extended Rain or Shine’s lead to 90-81, giving the team breathing room in the closing minutes.

The scoring opportunity came off a Caelan Tiongson kick-out, which Mamuyac converted confidently despite Converge still having momentum. His performance highlighted the balance of defensive intensity and clutch scoring that carried the team to victory.

Team effort fuels Rain or Shine

Rain or Shine relied on contributions from multiple players to maintain control throughout the game. Mike Malonzo posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Larry Santillan led all scorers with 16 points, demonstrating the team’s depth.

The combined effort allowed the Elasto Painters to withstand Converge’s rallies and preserve composure during key moments. With this win, Rain or Shine now tops the PBA Philippine Cup standings and positions itself strongly for the remainder of the eliminations.