PBA: Rain or Shine rallies for Game 1 win vs. Converge

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters overhauled a double-digit deficit to stun Converge, 124-120, in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup, Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters trailed by 21 points but turned the game around in the second half, with Adrian Nocum and import Aaron Fuller leading the charge.

Fuller top-scored for Rain or Shine with 33 points along with 14 rebounds, while Nocum added 26 points, nine assists and five rebounds, though he also committed eight of his team’s 20 turnovers.

He made up for it with crucial plays in the fourth quarter, however, including the assist that led to Michael Malonzo’s three-pointer with nine minutes left that put the Elasto Painters ahead, 103-100.

After a JD Tungcab triple tied the game, Nocum drilled the go-ahead jumper with 7:28 to go, putting ROS on top, 105-103.

Rain or Shine had trailed 48-27 in the second frame and were still down, 68-55, at the half before coming alive in the third period, where they scored 42 points.

“Tatlong bagay lang ang sinabi [sa amin]: turnovers namin, ‘yung rebounds at ‘yung depensa,” said Nocum after the game. “Nagtulong-tulong lang ang buong team kaya nakuha namin ang panalo.”

Fuller put the finishing touches on the win, converting back-to-back layups for a 120-111 spread with 1:25 to play.

A late three-pointer by Cameron Clark gave Converge some hope, 120-116, but Caelan Tiongson was steady at the line to ice the game. 

Clark had 28 points for the FiberXers, while Justin Arana added 21 points and Calvin Abueva scored 16.

But their usually reliable guards were kept in check: Juan Gomez de Liano shot just 5-of-15 from the field for 13 points, while Alec Stockton was 3-of-12 for 12 points. Mikey Williams made just one of 12 attempts to score a paltry three markers. 

Game 2 of the series is on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.