Ginebra Survives Rain or Shine in 111-104 Commissioner’s Cup Thriller

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel held off a fierce fourth-quarter rally from the Rain or Shine Elastopainters to secure a hard-fought 111-104 victory on May 29, 2026, in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup. The match, played at a packed venue, showcased Ginebra’s trademark grit and Rain or Shine’s relentless energy, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final minute.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a fast-paced contest. Ginebra leaned on their veteran core and relentless inside presence, while Rain or Shine countered with sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive transition play. The home side built a double-digit lead in the third quarter, only to see the Elastopainters claw back within one possession late in the fourth. Clutch free throws and a crucial defensive stop sealed the win for Ginebra.

Key Moments

• First-half surge: Ginebra shot 58% from the field in the first two quarters, outscoring Rain or Shine 32-24 in the second period to take a 58-50 halftime lead.
• Third-quarter separation: The Gin Kings extended their lead to 87-72 behind a series of fast-break layups and offensive rebounds, forcing a Rain or Shine timeout.
• Elastopainters fight back: Rain or Shine opened the fourth quarter on a 15-4 run, cutting the deficit to 91-87 with five minutes remaining. A three-pointer from rookie guard Mark Nonoy brought them within 99-97 with 1:42 on the clock.
• Clutch closing: Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson sank two free throws, and import Justin Brownlee followed with a step-back jumper to push the lead to 103-97. A missed three by Rain or Shine with 15 seconds left effectively ended the comeback bid.

Tactical Story

Ginebra’s game plan revolved around controlling the paint and limiting second-chance opportunities. They outrebounded Rain or Shine 48-40, with Jamie Malonzo grabbing 12 boards. On offense, they moved the ball efficiently, recording 27 assists as a team. Rain or Shine, by contrast, relied on three-point volume, attempting 38 triples (making 13). Their late surge came when they spread the floor and drove to the rim, but they struggled to convert in the final two minutes, going 1-for-5 from the floor.

Standout Players

• Justin Brownlee (Ginebra): The import delivered a complete performance with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, including key baskets in the closing stretch.
• Scottie Thompson (Ginebra): The do-it-all guard posted a near-triple-double: 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, plus two steals.
• Beau Belga (Rain or Shine): The veteran forward kept his team afloat with 22 points (6-of-10 from deep) and 7 rebounds, knocking down tough threes under pressure.
• Gian Mamuyac (Rain or Shine): Off the bench, Mamuyac contributed 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, igniting the fourth-quarter run with his energy.

Season Impact

The win lifted Ginebra to a 6-3 record in the Commissioner’s Cup standings, keeping them in the top four as they aim for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. Rain or Shine fell to 4-5, but their competitive showing suggests they remain a dangerous opponent for any contender. With the conference entering its crucial stretch, both teams will look to build on this highly entertaining contest.