Rain or Shine def San Miguel, 122-112 [PBA S49 Govs’ Cup | Sep. 19, 2024]

After achieving its initial objective of clinching a playoff berth, Rain or Shine’s (ROS) next challenge is to secure the top spot in its group as it prepares to face the formidable San Miguel Beer in the highlight match of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Elasto Painters enter the contest with a solid 6-2 record, taking on the Beermen, who hold a 5-2 mark, at 7:30 p.m.

Fresh off a gritty 123-114 overtime victory against NLEX, ROS is eager to maintain momentum, while San Miguel showcased its dominance by crushing Barangay Ginebra, 131-82, on Sunday, highlighted by Marcio Lassiter’s historic performance, which saw him become the all-time leader in three-pointers made.

Coach Yeng Guiao is acutely aware of the Beermen’s historical dominance over them since the previous season’s Philippine Cup. He has characterized the upcoming clash as akin to a “playoff game.”

In a lighthearted moment, Guiao quipped that they might need 16 more games to decipher the Beermen’s “riddle.”

Despite this, ROS came agonizingly close to defeating the PBA’s winningest franchise in their first encounter of the season last September.

Rookie guard Felix Lemetti stepped up by sinking all four free throws after being fouled by Chris Ross, briefly giving the Elasto Painters a 112-111 advantage in the final moments.

However, the ever-reliable Junemar Fajardo dashed the hopes of Guiao and ROS by hitting a buzzer-beater jumper to snatch victory for SMB, delivering the Elasto Painters their first loss of the season in a heartbreaking fashion.