PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters continued their dominant, undefeated run in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, securing their sixth consecutive victory with a 120-111 win over the Converge FiberXers on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The victory was doubly sweet for the franchise as it coincided with the halftime retirement ceremony for Gabe Norwood’s iconic #10 jersey, honoring one of the most respected figures in Philippine basketball.
Import Jaylen Johnson was the man of the hour, delivering a powerhouse performance to ensure the Elasto Painters remained perfect in the standings.
- Stat Line: Johnson exploded for 35 points, including a crucial “dagger” three-pointer in the closing minutes that stifled a late Converge rally.
- Good Vibes: Known for his infectious personality, Johnson celebrated the win with a new dance move dedicated to Norwood. “I got to do something for Gabe,” he remarked post-game.
- The “KQ” Connection: Coach Yeng Guiao revealed that the team scouted Johnson through Kevin Quiambao, who played with him in South Korea. “We asked for KQ’s inputs… he guaranteed he’s a good dancer,” Guiao joked, though he emphasized that Johnson’s competitive character is what truly fits the team’s system.
On the other side of the court, the FiberXers fell to a dismal 1-5 record.
- New Faces: The loss came despite the return of Juan Gomez de Liaño and the highly anticipated debut of Calvin Abueva for his new club.
- Lack of Momentum: While Converge showed flashes of competitiveness, they were unable to contain Rain or Shine’s high-octane offense and balanced scoring.
With a 6-0 record, a quarterfinal berth for Rain or Shine appears to be a mere formality. However, Johnson remains grounded. “We haven’t did none yet,” he said. “The main goal is the main goal… we have to keep working every day.”
The Elasto Painters will look to extend their streak in the coming weeks as they face Terrafirma, Phoenix, and Magnolia—teams currently hovering in the middle and lower tiers of the standings.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s PBA action shifts to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where Bol Bol and TNT will look to bounce back against Terrafirma following a recent loss to Meralco.