Rain or Shine defeated Meralco, 109-102, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, March 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, staying unbeaten despite playing without suspended import Jaylen Johnson. The Elasto Painters improved to 3-0 and seized the early lead in the standings.

The win came as Rain or Shine leaned on depth and collective effort, turning what could have been a disadvantage into a statement performance against one of the league’s most disciplined teams.

Felix Lemetti led the way off the bench, delivering a crucial scoring boost as multiple players stepped up to fill the void left by Johnson.

Lemetti sparks balanced attack in import’s absence

Lemetti poured in 23 points to lead Rain or Shine, providing energy and scoring that helped the Elasto Painters maintain control throughout the contest. His performance highlighted the team’s ability to rely on different contributors.

Jhonard Clarito added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Adrian Nocum contributed 17 points and six boards. Caelan Tiongson chipped in 16 markers, and rookie Christian Manaytay finished with 12 points in another solid outing.

Rain or Shine built an early cushion, taking advantage of Meralco’s slow start to stretch the lead to as much as 17 points. The Elasto Painters dictated the tempo and imposed their physicality on both ends.

Coach Yeng Guiao praised his team’s effort, noting that every player who stepped on the floor made a contribution. He emphasized the toughness and maturity shown, especially during moments when Meralco threatened to come back.

Meralco rally falls short as Rain or Shine closes strong

Meralco found its rhythm in the second half and gradually erased the deficit, coming within a point at 95-94 late in the fourth quarter. Chris Newsome led the Bolts with 29 points, while import Marvin Jones posted 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Despite the rally, Rain or Shine responded with a decisive run in the closing minutes. Lemetti, Clarito, Nocum, and Luis Villegas combined to restore control and push the lead to double digits with just over a minute remaining.

Villegas played a key role defensively, delivering timely blocks that disrupted Meralco’s attempts to complete the comeback. The Elasto Painters also dominated the boards, finishing with a 57-46 advantage.

Meralco, which absorbed its first loss after opening with two wins, struggled to sustain its momentum as Rain or Shine’s cohesion and execution proved too much to overcome.

With the victory, the Elasto Painters reinforced their status as an early contender, showing they can deliver even without their import.