MANILA, Philippines-Rain or Shine battled back from a 21-point deficit in the first half to take down Converge, 124-120, and gain a head start in their best-of-five series in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Adrian Nocum, import Aaron Fuller, Jhonard Clarito and Caelan Tiongson played their role as expected, but the Elasto Painters got some boost as well from rookie Deo Cuajao and Mike Malonzo in securing the series-opening triumph.
The win came despite Rain or Shine trailing 48-27 early in the second quarter with Converge sizzling at the start.
Game 2 is set for Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium as Rain or Shine tries to go up 2-0 in a series pitting the league’s two independent ballclubs.
Nocum finished with 26 points, five rebounds, nine assists and three steals, even as Fuller topscored for Rain or Shine with 33 points on top of 14 rebounds.
Tiongson added 17 points while Cuajao hit 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter when the Elasto Painters began to close in on the FiberXers.
Cameron Clark scored 28 points for Converge, but was held in check by Clarito and Malonzo, who helped Rain or Shine take firm control of the testy affair.
Things got a bit heated in the second quarter when Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, wearing a mask after getting hit by the flu bug, had some choice words for Alec Stockton.