RAIN or Shine executed its game plan to near-perfection and was rewarded handsomely with a 151-95 demolition of Blackwater on Tuesday night, March 31, 2026, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Andrei Caracut opened the floodgates as early as the opening quarter, scoring 18 of his 22 points before the rest of the Elasto Painters followed suit. The team surged to its fourth win in as many games that solidified its hold on the early lead.
But there’s more. The final winning margin set a new all-time league record, eclipsing the previous high of 154-99 set by U/tex over Great Taste on July 12, 1980, in the Open Conference semifinals.
A major factor in the victory was Rain or Shine’s 18 triples, which went well with its running game and led to a 38-9 advantage in fastbreak points – just the way coach Yeng Guiao wanted it.
“That’s our identity. We like to get out quickly in transition, we like to find our rhythm in the open court. That’s how we generate our looks and our shots,” explained Guiao.
The strategy was designed specifically to counter Blackwater import Robert Upshaw, who weighs more than 350lbs in his seven-foot frame, according to Guiao.
“Our only chance really was to play the transition game. In the halfcourt, we had no answer for their import. Even our import, Jaylen Johnson, had a hard time trying to stop him when he’s at the low post,” added Guiao.
The game was broken wide open as soon as Rain or Shine built a 42-15 lead after the first quarter and a 75-44 advantage at the half. Returning import Jaylen Johnson was given extended rest, although he still notched 20 points, capped by a four-pointer that made it 129-84.
Also contributing to the carnage was Deo Cuajao, who scored 15 points in his debut, while fellow rookie Arthur Roque joined Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Nocum, Santi Santillan, and Anton Asistio in scoring at least 12 points.
Upshaw, reportedly feeling under the weather along with teammate and long-time friend Sedrick Barefield, bucked a slow start to finish with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Barefield tossed in 12 points in less than 18 minutes.
RK Ilagan was the only other Bossing to score in double figures with 14 as his squad dropped to a 1-3.
In the nightcap, Justin Patton debuted with 24 points and 17 rebounds, proving to be a big factor in San Miguel Beer’s 110-94 thrashing of the Macau Black Knights.
The NBA veteran, who has played with Minnesota, Philadelphia, OKC and Houston, also logged three steals, two assists, and one block against three turnovers, helping the Beermen recover from a 1-2 conference start.
CJ Perez (26 points) and June Mar Fajardo (16 and 16 rebounds) delivered their usual numbers as the Beermen improved to 2-2 while sending the Black Knights deeper into 0-5 hole. / PBA.PH