How do you beat the hottest team in the 2025 Honda PBA Philippine Cup? For the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, it required some aggression. 

The Elasto Painters scored eight of the game’s first 10 points and used that momentum to build a 37-21 lead in the opening quarter, one they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the game. After leading 2-0, the Magnolia Hotshots could only try to pick up the pieces as they trailed by as many as 23 points at the start of the fourth quarter. 

The Hotshots were never really going to go undefeated in the 2025 Philippine Cup, but that shouldn’t discredit Rain or Shine’s efforts. The Elasto Painter offense was firing on all cylinders and in more ways than one. From the shooting to the concerted effort to get to the line, it was clear Rain or Shine wasn’t going to let up regardless of what defensive adjustments Magnolia would come up with. Contributions came from a handful of players who’ve averaged double figures thus far, and it speaks to their roster depth. 

Defensively, physicality is the bare minimum when it comes to the Elasto Painters. They may not outrebound you, but their opponents will not come out of each possession unscathed. Rain or Shine’s efforts tend to wear their opponents down so while quantity may be up, the quality will be on the downside. Hotshots players like Zavier Lucero and Mark Barroca were trying to hold their ground, but it was clear that they could not bring Magnolia back on their own. 

At 4-2, the Elasto Painters remain in the hunt for the crucial twice-to-beat advantage and their victory over the Hotshots trimmed the gap in the standings for them and the rest of the field. Rain or Shine has been a beacon of consistency in the last few seasons despite being an “independent” team and while a championship has eluded them for nearly a decade, they have a roster that is capable of contending for one, especially if they continue to grow together. 

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters tend to be defined as a group rather than one individual (save for perhaps head coach Yeng Guiao). Stars may not be their defining trait, but their players have shined (no pun intended) in their roles, allowing the Elasto Painters as a whole to achieve feats the rest of the PBA hasn’t been able to do thus far: defeat the Magnolia Hotshots. 

After a quick turnaround to face the TNT Tropang 5G, Rain or Shine will have at least a handful of days between games to rest and properly plan for their opponents. The luxury of time should bode well for their chances, especially if they want to make this giant-slaying more than just a one-time thing.