Caelan Tiongson in action for Rain or Shine against TNT in Game 3 of their semifinals series in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner's Cup, March 2, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Images

MANILA -- Rain or Shine is on the board in its best-of-seven semifinals series against TNT Tropang GIGA after holding on for a 103-98 win in Game 3 on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The result allowed the Elasto Painters to trim the series deficit at 2-1 in their PBA Commissioner's Cup showdown against the Tropang GIGA.

Four players scored in double-digits for Rain or Shine, led by import Deon Thompson with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Adrian Nocum earned Player of the Game honors with 16 points and eight boards, while Caelan Tiongson added 18 points. 

It was a breakthrough result for the Elasto Painters, who lost the previous two games in the series by a combined six points.

"We're hoping we can push this series into a long series. At least ngayon, naka-2-1 kami. That means minimum of five games na 'to. Gusto namin umabot ng seven games eh. We're physically and mentally prepared to play seven games in this series. We designed our management of our minutes to be able to still be fresh for a Game 7. But for now, isa-isa muna," said ROS coach Yeng Guiao after the game.

They struggled to pull away from a TNT team that is missing veteran guard Jayson Castro due to injury, with a Rey Nambatac bucket making it a two-point game, 90-88, with over four minutes left.

READ: Jayson Castro out for rest of season after suffering patellar tendon injury

But a Thompson jumper and free throws by Nocum gave the Elasto Painters some much needed breathing room, 94-88. A Tiongson layup made it an eight-point game, 98-90, with 17 seconds to go.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made sure that TNT would not go away quietly, drilling a four-point shot that made it a one-possession game, 101-98, with under four seconds left. There wasn't enough time for the Tropang GIGA, however, and two free throws by Gian Mamuyac iced the game.

Hollis-Jefferson led the way for TNT with 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting along with 19 rebounds, though Guiao was pleased with how his team made the prolific import work for his points.

"Ang gusto lang namin, alam naming i-score si RHJ. Ang gusto lang namin, every time he scores, he works for it, he earns it," said Guiao.

Roger Pogoy added 21 points and Calvin Oftana was limited to 13 for the Tropang GIGA, who honored Castro with patches on their jerseys.

The Scores :

RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Thompson 19, Tiongson 18, Nocum 16, Asistio 12, Mamuyac 9, Santillan 8, Clarito 7, Norwood 7, Datu 4, Caracut 3,  Lemetti 0

TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 13, Erram 10, Williams 8, Aurin 8, Nambatac 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Razon 0

QUARTERS: 21-21, 49-43, 75-73, 103-98