In a league tainted by farm teams, lopsided trades, and controversy, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have stood firm as one of the last few independent franchises in the PBA.

This independence has not come without its challenges. Rain or Shine has struggled to stay relevant in recent years amid the dominance of the PBA’s conglomerate-backed teams. The Elasto Painters last hoisted a championship trophy in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup—only the second one in franchise history—and that also marked the last time an independent team not only won the title but reached the finals altogether.

However, the tides seem to be turning in Rain or Shine’s favor in the ongoing 2024 PBA Governor’s Cup. Head coach Yeng Guiao, who returned to the team in 2022, has excelled in assembling a deep roster through the PBA Draft, and his efforts are beginning to show results.

With their recent win over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, the Elasto Painters improved to 4-0 and now stand as the only undefeated team left in this conference. What is particularly intriguing about their run is that they’ve achieved it in true Guiao fashion—with unrelenting hustle and a deep rotation.

Rain or Shine has relied on contributions from all of its players in its four victories, with seven locals scoring 10 points or more in at least one game this season. These four games have also featured four different players—Caelan Tiongson, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, and Adrian Nocum—leading the team’s locals in scoring, underscoring their depth.

In their latest victory against Phoenix, Nocum, after a quiet first three games, exploded for 19 points in the second quarter alone. He sparked the Elasto Painters’ rally from a 12-point first-half deficit to tie the game at 55 by halftime. Nocum finished with 21 points on nine-of-16 shooting in only 18 minutes as Rain or Shine secured a 116-99 win.

Another key factor behind the Elasto Painters’ recent success is import Aaron Fuller, who has embraced his role as the team’s workhorse inside the paint. Fuller recorded 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting and grabbed 22 rebounds in the win against the Super LPG Fuel Masters, marking his third 20-20 game of the conference.

The main weakness of this Rain or Shine squad is their lack of a dependable local center, so the addition of the 34-year-old Fuller, now in his fifth stint in the PBA, directly addresses this. Fuller’s willingness to defer to his teammates, focusing on offensive rebounding and defense instead of scoring, has been a significant asset and is a major reason why this team is a prime contender in the Governor’s Cup.

While there is still a long way to go before the Elasto Painters can be considered a serious threat to win the championship in this conference, it is clear they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the league, not just for now but for the foreseeable future. Guiao’s ability to draw significant contributions from nearly everyone on his roster is an enviable luxury that may only be matched by Jorge Gallent and the San Miguel Beermen at the moment. 

Rain or Shine has patiently waited for its time, and now that it seems to have arrived, the league should take notice as this is a team that draws its swagger from the mercurial Guiao and backs down to no one.