Rain or Shine's Keith Datu in action against Blackwater on May 7, 2025. PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine unleashed a decisive 18-4 finishing kick to pull away from hot-shooting Blackwater, 120-106, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A combined effort from the "patient" Elasto Painters late helped them put away the Blackwater side, as Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, Keith Datu, and Santi Santillan all poured in conversions from the 102-all count halfway through the final period to put their rivals to sleep.

READ: PBA: TNT posts breakthrough Philippine Cup win at San Miguel’s expense

The Bossing were kept silent in the final six minutes, only posting four points in that time frame as they failed to stay in step with the rallying Elasto Painters.

"It's a testimony to the patience of the guys and not folding up despite the torrid shooting of Blackwater," said coach Yeng Guiao after the game.

READ: PBA: Player of the Week Baltazar finding his form for Converge

Datu helped Rain or Shine stay in the neck-and-neck moments of the game, to the delight of their fiery mentor.

"We stayed in the game because of Keith Datu," Guiao expressed.

Datu, who later on revealed by Guiao as "not a hundred percent" in tonight's game due to an injury, top-scored for Rain or Shine, listing 27 points on an 11-of-17 shooting to go with eight rebounds.

Nocum, who spearheaded the late rally by the Elasto Painters, uncorked 23 points and four rebounds, while five other white jerseys registered twin-digit scoring performances.

Tiongson added 14, Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut had 11 each, while Jhonard Clarito and Santillan chipped in 10 markers each.

They improved to a 3-2 win-loss card with the win.

Meanwhile, the Bossing could not close out the game despite a decent showing in the first 24 minutes, dropping to a 1-4 slate.

Christian David paced those efforts, listing a game-high 28 points, including eight rebounds, with Sedrick Barefield also grabbing 23 markers.

Rain or Shine challenges league-leading and perfect Magnolia next, set for May 18, while Blackwater battles Meralco on May 21.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 120 – Datu 27, Nocum 23, Tiongson 14, Caracut 11, Mamuyac 11, Clarito 10, Santillan 9, Lemetti 8, Norwood 3, Asistio 3, Belga 0

BLACKWATER 106 – David 28, Barefield 23, Ilagan 16, Ayonayon 9, Casio 8, Guinto 6, Andrade 5, Escoto 5, Mallilin 4, Chua 2, Tratter 0

QUARTERS: 37-33, 60-68, 91-91, 120-106