Jaylen Johnson made an immediate impact in the PBA with an all-around performance of 29 points, 24 rebounds, and six assists, helping Rain or Shine outlast Macau 116-109 at Ynares Center-Montalban on Saturday, March 14. The Elasto Painters grabbed the conference opener with determination, reversing a slow start against the Black Knights.

Macau dominated early, taking the first quarter 28-24 and leading 58-52 at halftime. But Rain or Shine stayed composed, gradually narrowing the gap and taking control at 83-78 heading into the final quarter.

ROS closes strong to seal the win

A 9-0 finishing run from Rain or Shine decided the contest after a 107-all tie with just over a minute left. Adrian Nocum added 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Jhonard Clarito contributed 16 points and nine boards. Gian Mamuyac chipped in 11 points and five rebounds off the bench to complement Johnson’s dominant showing.

The Black Knights were paced by Phoenix Shackleford’s 25 points with 3-of-4 three-point shooting. Damian Chongqui scored 22, Jenning Leung 20, and import Tony Mitchell added 18. Macau briefly tied the game with free throws from Chon Pong Lao at 107-all, but Rain or Shine’s late surge proved decisive.

Johnson’s debut performance was highlighted by 7-of-15 shooting, two steals, and a block over nearly 40 minutes of action, signaling his readiness to lead the Elasto Painters following last conference’s heartbreak in the All-Filipino.