Rain or Shine ElastoPainters star Adrian Nocum in action against the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals Game 3. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Rain or Shine ElastoPainters are headed to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals.

The Yeng Guiao-mentored team pushed the right buttons in the fourth quarter en route to their 112-103 Game 3 quarterfinals victory over the Converge FiberXers, Sunday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.

RoS will be facing the fiery TNT Tropang GIGA in the best-of-7 semis following the league's mid-conference break for the February window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Young RoS star guard Adrian Nocum made this possible, as the former Mapua University standout put up 25 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while providing muscle for the E-Painters was Deon Thompson who finished with a 34-point, 12-rebound game on top of seven assists.

"We're very happy [with our progress]," said Guiao after the game. "This is what we've been trying to achieve. The past two conferences, we made the semifinals, so it would be a pity if we did not make it this conference."

"It's also a validation of the hard work that the guys put in, the togetherness and the camaraderie that they have, and it's also a testimony to the progress of the team in general," he continued. 

Also standing out was Andrei Caracut's 14 markers and six dimes, while veteran ace Beau Belga drained two crucial three-pointers to complete his six points with a rebound and an assist. 

With the E-Painters only leading by three, 83-80, early in the fourth, Belga and Nocum sparked an eight-to-nothing run — one that was built through a three-pointer by the former and two straight baskets by the latter — and this gave RoS a 91-80 advantage at the 9:45 mark.

The FiberXers showed resistance and cut their deficit to five, 102-97, thanks to a mini spurt from Justin Arana and Alec Stockton with still over three minutes left, but Nocum quickly answered with an and-one at the 3:28 mark for a 105-97 lead.

Arana, Stockton, and this time, Schonny Winston, continued to give Converge some signs of life, as the former De La Salle Green Archer's basket with still 1:43 on the clock kept them within striking distance, 109-103.

However, Caelan Tiongson willed himself in the middle and converted a one-hander against Jordan Heading for a 111-103 cushion which eventually proved to be enough for Guiao's troops to win their second straight game after losing in the series opener and being in danger of elimination.

Stockton led the FiberXers with 26 markers to lead all locals, while Justine Baltazar and Arana had 16 and 15, respectively, but these did not help Converge's case as they failed to take advantage of their virtual twice-to-beat bonus after taking care of business in Game 1.

The Scores:

Rain or Shine 112 – Thompson 34, Nocum 25, Caracut 14, Clarito 11, Asistio 7, Belga 6, Datu 5, Tiongson 5, Santillan 4, Malonzo 1.

Converge 103 – Stockton 26, Diallo 19, Baltazar 16, Arana 15, Winston 14, Racal 7, Heading 3, Andrade 3, Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0, Javillonar 0.

Quarterscores: 22-21, 50-45, 80-77, 112-103.