PBA: Rain or Shine ousts San Miguel, advances to semifinals

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarterfinals

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Andrei Caracut during a game vs San Miguel Beermen in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine became the first team to advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after defeating San Miguel Beer in the quarters, 113-104, at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Friday.

The Elasto Painters maximized their twice-to-beat advantage and denied the Beermen a chance to force a decider.

“We felt that this is our best chance to get to the semis,” coach Yeng Guiao said.

“We earned the twice-to-beat advantage but we knew that if we got to Sunday, we wouldn’t be able to beat SMB. This was our best chance to beat them.”

San Miguel actually held a 90-86 lead midway through the fourth quarter before Rain or Shine unleashed a 13-3 rally to regain control, 99-93, behind an Andrei Caracut triple with 6:13 remaining.

Jericho Cruz and Bennie Boatwright kept the Beermen within striking distance after trimming the deficit to two, 99-97, with under five minutes left.

But the Elasto Painters quickly answered with a decisive 9-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Caelan Tiongson and a four-pointer from Caracut for a commanding 108-97 cushion with 2:35 to play.

Caracut finished with 29 points, six rebounds and five assists for Rain or Shine. Tiongson scored 23 while import Jaylen Johnson had a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Adrian Nocum also helped the cause with 18 points and six rebounds.

Boatwright finished with 24 points and seven rebounds for San Miguel, while June Mar Fajardo recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds. CJ Perez added 19 points in the loss.

Rain or Shine takes on either the second-seeded Barangay Ginebra or the seventh-ranked Phoenix in the best-of-seven semifinals.