The Rain or Shine Elastopainters kicked off their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a hard-fought 105–98 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The match, which tipped off at 7:30 p.m., saw the Elastopainters overcome a spirited Phoenix side that refused to go away until the final buzzer. Rain or Shine’s balanced scoring and clutch execution in the last two minutes proved to be the difference in an entertaining season opener for both teams.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets with neither able to establish a double-digit lead. Phoenix Fuel Masters came out aggressive, using their speed in transition to build an early six-point advantage in the first quarter. However, Rain or Shine responded behind a strong second-quarter run, taking a 53–50 lead into halftime. The third quarter saw the Elastopainters extend their lead to as many as 12, but the Fuel Masters, led by their import and local backcourt, clawed back to within two points with under three minutes remaining. A crucial three-pointer from Rain or Shine’s guard and solid free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the 105–98 final score.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Surge: Phoenix opened with a 10–2 run, forcing an early Rain or Shine timeout. The Elastopainters settled down and cut the deficit to 26–24 by the end of the period.
• Second Quarter Turnaround: Rain or Shine outscored Phoenix 29–22 in the second frame, sparked by three consecutive triples from their bench unit. This gave them a three-point halftime edge.
• Third Quarter Push: The Elastopainters opened the second half with a 7–0 run, pushing their lead to double figures. Phoenix managed to trim it back to eight heading into the fourth.
• Clutch Finish: With Phoenix trailing 100–98 and 1:15 to play, Rain or Shine’s import drew a foul and hit both free throws. On the next possession, a steal led to a fast-break dunk, pushing the lead to six and effectively ending the game.

Standout Players

Rain or Shine’s import delivered an all-around performance, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Local guard Gian Mamuyac added 18 points and hit three huge three-pointers in the second half. For the Fuel Masters, import Johnathan Williams posted a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds, while guard RJ Jazul contributed 17 points and 6 assists. However, Phoenix’s turnover issues—committing 16 against Rain or Shine’s 9—proved costly.

Impact on the Season

The win gives Rain or Shine an early 1–0 record in the tightly contested Governors’ Cup, where every game carries playoff implications. For Phoenix, the loss is a missed opportunity to start strong on their home floor, but the team showed enough fight to suggest they will be a threat once they tighten their defensive rotations. Both teams are scheduled to play again within the week, with Rain or Shine facing Meralco and Phoenix taking on Barangay Ginebra.