The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters capitalized on their twice-to-beat advantage, eliminating the veteran-laden San Miguel Beermen with a commanding 113-104 victory on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Ynares Center to advance to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Commissioner's Cup semifinals.
Lethal Long-Range Assault
The Elasto Painters overwhelmed San Miguel with a devastating three-point barrage. With the game hanging in the balance, Andrei Caracut sank a spectacular four-pointer, followed immediately by a Caelan Tiongson triple. This back-to-back deep connection capped a decisive 9-0 run, propelling Rain or Shine ahead 108-97 with just 2:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Caracut finished with a team-high 29 points, while Tiongson contributed 23 points with sheer physicality. The duo combined for 13 of Rain or Shine's 19 total three-pointers, completely dismantling San Miguel's defense. The Beermen, who won the Philippine Cup championship in the previous conference, saw their campaign end prematurely.
Key Performances
- Andrei Caracut: 29 points, 4 three-pointers
- Caelan Tiongson: 23 points, 9 three-pointers
- Rain or Shine: 19 three-pointers total
The victory sends Rain or Shine to the semifinals, where they will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent. San Miguel, led by six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, struggled to contain the Painters' perimeter shooting throughout the game.
