Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally broke through in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, defeating Eastern 99-81 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With a strong defensive showing, standout performances from Deon Thompson and Santi Santillan, and timely adjustments from Coach Yeng Guiao, Rain or Shine proved they can compete against top contenders this season.
Defense Wins the Game
Rain or Shine’s head coach, Yeng Guiao, credited the victory to disciplined defense that disrupted Eastern’s rhythm. Eastern connected on only 7-of-20 shots from beyond the arc and shot just 35.2% overall, a sharp contrast to Rain or Shine’s 44.4% efficiency.
Deon Thompson’s Impactful Debut
New reinforcement Deon Thompson made a statement in his PBA debut, finishing with 21 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Despite limited time with the team, Thompson’s versatility immediately boosted both ends of the floor.
Guiao praised his newest import: “He’s got the inside and outside game. Once his outside shooting clicks, he’ll be an even bigger threat.”
Santi Santillan Takes Center Stage
Forward Santi Santillan stepped up as Thompson’s perfect complement, dropping 18 points and five rebounds. His energy and timely baskets earned him the Best Player of the Game award, signaling his growing role in Rain or Shine’s rotation.
Eastern Suffers Their First Loss
Eastern entered the night unbeaten, with wins over Converge and Phoenix. However, fate was not on their side as playmaker Glenn Yang sat out due to passport issues. Despite Cameron Clark’s 30-point, 12-rebound performance, Eastern struggled to counter Rain or Shine’s balanced scoring and defensive schemes.
Game Recap and Statistics
Beyond individual highlights, the numbers told the full story of Rain or Shine’s convincing win. The Elasto Painters leaned on balanced scoring, defensive stops, and crucial second-half adjustments to pull away from Eastern. Below is the complete breakdown of points, top contributors, and quarter-by-quarter scores.
Rain or Shine — 99
Thompson 21, Santillan 18, Datu 10, Tiongson 10, Nocum 8, Ildefonso 8, Caracut 7, Belga 5, Clarito 4, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Demnusis 2
Eastern — 81
Clark 30, Cheung 11, Sulaiman 11, Cao 9, Blankley 7, Lam 6, Zhu 5, Guinchard 2
Quarter Scores
24-18, 43-34, 70-64, 99-81
Rain or Shine’s first win highlights their resilience and ability to adjust under pressure—a promising sign for fans looking forward to more competitive outings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup is one of the three main conferences in the Philippine Basketball Association season, allowing teams to enlist foreign imports with a set height limit.
Q2: Why is defense so important in basketball?
Defense limits opponents’ scoring opportunities while creating fast-break chances. Teams that play tough defense often dictate tempo and gain momentum—just like Rain or Shine did in this game to frustrate Eastern’s shooters.
Q3: Who is Deon Thompson?
Deon Thompson is an American professional basketball player with years of experience in international leagues. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters signed him as their import for the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup.
Q4: Who won Best Player of the Game in this matchup?
Santi Santillan of Rain or Shine earned the honor for his 18-point performance that energized the team.
Q5: What’s next for Rain or Shine and Eastern?
Rain or Shine looks to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, while Eastern aims to bounce back and adjust once Glenn Yang is available to return.
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