Rain or Shine pulled off a stunning upset against NLEX with a 103-92 victory in the do-or-die quarterfinals match of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. This win marks their fourth consecutive appearance in the semifinals, despite entering the playoffs as the seventh seed.

The Elasto Painters managed to overcome the twice-to-beat Road Warriors, setting up a showdown with TNT in the semifinals for the third consecutive time. Multiple players stepped up for Rain or Shine, with Santi Santilan leading the scoring with 24 points, along with nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals.

Jhonard Clarito and Andrei Caracut also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 16 points respectively. However, the standout performer for the Elasto Painters was Mike Malonzo, who played a crucial role in their fourth-quarter surge, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Malonzo's key plays, including free throws and a crucial basket, helped Rain or Shine establish a lead and secure the victory. Head coach Yeng Guiao praised his team's effort and resilience, emphasizing the importance of playing their brand of basketball.

Looking ahead, Rain or Shine will face familiar rivals TNT in the semifinals, with the Tropang 5G having emerged victorious in their previous postseason matchups. Despite the challenges posed by the reigning champions, Guiao remains optimistic about his team's chances and is determined to put up a strong fight.

Final Scores:

• Rain or Shine 103 – Santillan 24, Caracut 16, Clarito 13, Asistio 11, Malonzo 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Nocum 5, Norwood 4, Porter 3, Datu 0.
• NLEX 92 – Bolick 34, Bahio 11, Ramirez 10, Mocon 9, Fajardo 7, Semerad 6, Policarpio 5, Torres 4, Nieto 2, Alas 2, Valdez 2.

Quarters: 21-27, 52-55, 78-77, 103-92.