PBA: Rain or Shine outlasts Ginebra for 1-0 semis lead

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Jhonard Clarito during a game vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO—Rain or Shine survived Barangay Ginebra by the skin of its teeth, 115-111, to take Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Ynares Sports Center here on Wednesday night.

Jhonard Clarito spearheaded the Elasto Painters’ gritty win in the best-of-seven series opener with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

“We just stuck with our roles and me, I just did mine. Whether it’s rebounding or defending, we’re lucky we got through,” Clarito said in Filipino.

“Coach (Yeng Guiao) told us that we needed to huddle and talk so we can execute our plays better and stick with them.”

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Jaylen Johnson during a game vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra led by 10 points early in the fourth quarter, 84-74, but Rain or Shine unloaded a huge 21-11 rally to tie the game at 95-all, setting up a cardiac finish.

The Gin Kings regained control late in the period, 107-102, after a triple by RJ Abarrientos with 2:23 remaining.

But the Elasto Painters answered with 11 unanswered points capped by a short stab from Gian Mamuyac to grab a 113-107 lead with 38 seconds left.

The Gin Kings went down swinging as they went to Scottie Thompson for a four-pointer to inch closer, 113-111,but Clarito calmly sank two free throws on the other end to seal the win.

Elasto Painters’ import Jaylen Johnson turned in a gargantuan double-double of 40 points and 19 rebounds. Mamuyac and Adrian Nocum also had 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 32 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Abarrientos added 21 points, while Thompson finished with 17 in the loss.