PBA: Rain or Shine Takes Double-Digit Lead Over NorthPort
April 17, 2025 — Rain or Shine Elasto Painters intensely responded strongly following their opening game loss against Northport Batang Pier. Their face-off happened yesterday as a part of the PBA Philippine Cup Season 49 in Smart Araneta Coliseum. ROS Elasto Painters crushed Northport for a double-digit lead of 113-96. With this win, the team set an even record of 1-1 and made a statement about their resilience.
From the opening tip, the Elasto Painters didn’t waste any time to win the second game. The 26-year-old Gian Mamuyac started to ignite the arena in the first quarter after dropping 13 points alone. His stellar performance helps his team to establish a 31-17 lead during the first phase of the game.
As the game progressed, the team maintained control and didn’t allow NorthPort to recover fully. Mamuyac finished with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, spearheading a team effort that saw six players score at least nine points.
Santi Santillan was a force in the paint with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Caelan Tiongson filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Andrei Caracut added 15 points and 5 rebounds, Adrian Nocum contributed 10 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists, and veteran Gabe Norwood chipped in with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Rain or Shine’s biggest lead ballooned to 19 points midway through the third quarter, and they never looked back.
The game wasn’t without its tense moments. Physical play defined much of the action, especially between Tiongson and NorthPort’s Sidney Onwubere, who had several heated encounters. After the final buzzer, Onwubere refused to shake hands, raising eyebrows.
Tiongson, though, took the high road. “It’s just basketball. I have no grudge, no ill feelings,” he said. Onwubere later clarified his stance: “The game was ongoing, so when we’re on the court, there are no friends,” adding that there was no issue between them off the court.
NorthPort struggled to find rhythm early but got a strong outing from William Navarro. The 6’6 footer posted 22 points and 12 rebounds in a solid individual performance. His co-members, like Joshua Munzon, added 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. One thing that impacts their gameplay is the absence of Arvin Tolentino due to a recent hip injury. Meanwhile, Jio Jalalon returned to the lineup and contributed 11 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Yet, the Batang Pier couldn’t match Rain or Shine’s energy and execution. With the loss, NorthPort drops to 1-1.
The game ended with quarter scores of 31-17, 56-48, 86-75, and 113-96.
Photo: PBA Images
