Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is a team in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) that has become popular in the league.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ history, current players, and any latest news that has come up.
This article has something exciting and valuable for everyone, whether you are a die-hard fan or a curious novice. Let’s get started!
History of the Team
Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. owns the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. They were known as the Welcoat Paint when they played in the Philippine Basketball League in 1996. They operated in the PBL until 2006, after which it was announced that they would be joining the PBA.
Here are significant milestones in the team’s history:
- March 1999: They beat Red Bull Energy Drink 3–0 to win their first title in the 1999 Challenge Cup.
- August 2006: They stated they would be called the Welcoat Dragons when they played professionally. They also added Jireh Ibañes and Abby Santos, who used to play for the UP Fighting Maroons, as rookies.
- August 2008: The team was renamed Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
- August 2012: The team’s greatest start came in the 2012 PBA Governors Cup, where they went 4-0. Thanks to Paul Lee’s game-winning triple with 2.6 seconds remaining, they defeated the Barangay Ginebra Kings, B-Meg Llamados, Alaska Aces, and Air21 Express, respectively.
- September 2016: They chose Dior Lowhorn as their foreign player for the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup. Nevertheless, they traded Lowhorn for Jason Forte in September following back-to-back losses during the conference.
The Players
Beau Belga
Born November 30, 1986, Beau Belga plays professional basketball for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He plays as a center/power forward.
His 2008 draft position of seventh overall resulted from a deal from Purefoods to Burger King.
His breakthrough came while he played under coach Yeng Guiao and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, where he was consistently ranked as one of the league’s most active players.
Mark Borboran
Mark Anthony Rosales Borboran, a Filipino pro basketball player, was born on November 1, 1984. He’s a small forward/power forward.
Borboran played for the 2007 UAAP champion UE Red Warriors, who went undefeated during elimination play. He was selected for the mythical squad that same year.
He started his academic career at José Rizal University before transferring to the University of the East, where he became an indispensable member of the school’s varsity sports squad.
On draft night of the 2008 PBA season, the Air21 Express originally selected him sixth overall but traded him to the Alaska Aces.
Gian Mamuyac
Gian Robert J. Mamuyac was born on March 5, 1999, and now plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He is a shooting guard.
The team chose Mamuyac as the fifth overall choice in the 2022 PBA draft. He first appeared in a game for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in 2022 and is still active with the team.
In 2023, as a first-year player, he was selected for the PBA All-Star Game.
Rey Nambatac
Rey Benedict Chan Nambatac was born on January 27, 1994.
He’s the point guard/shooting guard. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters chose Nambatac with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 PBA draft.
His professional playing career kicked off in 2017, and it is still ongoing with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
On November 3, 2021, Nambatac and the Elasto Painters agreed to a new maximum three-year deal. He then signed a two-year contract extension with the team on June 27, 2023, one year before his contract expiration.
The agreement would go into effect in 2024.
Gabe Norwood
Gabriel Daniel Viloria Norwood, born February 9, 1985, is a Rain or Shine Elasto Painters professional basketball player.
He is a shooting guard or small forward. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters selected Norwood as their first overall pick in the 2008 PBA draft.
He began playing with the team in 2008 and is still active today. Additionally, Norwood played for the Philippines national basketball team, which competed in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship and the William Jones Cup.
The Coach
Yeng Guiao now serves as head coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He is one of the most successful coaches in PBA history, having won many titles with various teams. He has won seven PBA championships as a coach and is a two-time Coach of the Year.
Since rejoining in 2022, Guiao has guided the Elasto Painters to the playoffs twice but they were unable to overcome a twice-to beat disadvantage both times.
Guiao is known for being a tough coach who motivates his players to give their all on the field. His comeback to Rain or Shine has amplified the excitement and anticipation of their fans.
Recent Records
The Rain or Shine Elastopainters have not managed to win a trophy since the 2015-16 season, but have regularly made it past the group stages each year. Here are some of their key results since then:
- 2016-17: Reached the quarterfinals of the Philippine, Commissioner’s and Governor’s Cup.
- 2017-18: Reached the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup
- 2019: Reached the semifinals of the Philippines and Commisioner’s Cup
- 2020: Reached the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup
- 2021: Reached the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup
- 2022-23: Reached the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup
- 2023-24: Reached the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup
