MANILA (UPDATED) — The Rain or Shine ElastoPainters will enter the PBA quarterfinals in a victorious manner.

This, after the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad fended off the Converge FiberXers, 112-111, in the league’s 2023-2024 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The win was also ROS’ sixth win in a row after a winless start, but according to the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor, ROS must shift into higher gears as they enter the quarterfinals.

“Marami nang nag-iba, pero ang tingin ko marami pa kaming pwedeng i-improve,” Guiao commented after the game.

“Inconsistent yung free throws namin, kanina marami kaming turnovers, eh pag dating ng playoffs, magkakatalo yan ng one or two possessions lang.”

The E-Painters also utilized an extended rotation, with all of their players seeing minutes on Sunday, and this, according to Guiao, was all according to plan.

“Kanina, ginusto ko talaga magamit lahat para lahat sila may feel ng game pagdating ng quarterfinals so kahit sino bunutin mo handa,” said Guiao about their charge that was led by Beau Belga who had 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

“Yung laro namin, gusto namin mabilis, so kailangan malalim talaga yung rotation.”

Despite ROS holding an 11-point lead earlier in the game, the two squads saw themselves in a close encounter in the final minute.

FiberXers rookie King Caralipio fired a huge trey to cut Rain Or Shines’ lead to a solitary point, 109-108, with a minute and 27 left in the game.

ROS import Tre Treadwell scored on a fadeaway jumper at the 38-second mark of the game to re-extend their lead to a more comfortable three-point lead, but Converge still refused to call it a night just yet.

Gabe Norwood split his charities in their next possession, leaving the door slightly open for Converge.

Caralipio then hit another trey to get as close as one, 112-111, and JL Delos Santos stole the ball in the inbound play, but their game-winning attempt was too late as the buzzer already sounded.

Despite almost faltering their lead, Guiao explained how happy he was about how they got the win.

“Mabuti rin yung game namin ngayon, one-point, ganto rin yung mararamdaman mo pag playoffs. You need to know how to win games in the end game, kailangan ma-experience mo yung pressure,” he said, while also emphasizing this game’s importance.

“Kasama sa plano namin yung sana maipanalo and come into the playoffs with a win. Kumpyansa mga players at gamit sila, maganda yung chemistry.”

Treadwell top-scored for ROS with 21 points while also putting up 17 rebounds and eight assists, while Nick Demusis had eight markers.

All but two from their team also scored in their sixth win in 11 games.

Meanwhile, the Aldin Ayo-led team will end the conference with a 1-10 standing. They were led by Jamil Wilson’s 26-point, 13–rebound, nine-assist game, and Justine Arana and Bryan Santos contributed 19 and 18, respectively.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 112 – Treadwell 21, Belga 19, Datu 10, Yap 9, Demusis 8, Nocum 8, Nambatac 6, Norwood 6, Belo 5, Borboran 5, Santillan 5, Clarito 5, Mamuyac 4, Ildefonso 1, Caracut 0, Asistio 0

CONVERGE 111 – Wilson 26, Arana 19, Santos 18, Caralipio 16, Nieto 7, Fornilos 6, Delos Santos 6, Winston 4, Stockton 3, Melecio 3, Maagdenberg 2, Vigan-Fleming 1

QUARTERS: 28-19, 55-48, 82-78, 112-111