The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters spoiled Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s debut in PBA Season 49.

The Yeng Guiao-coached squad torched the Gin Kings, 73-64, during their Governors’ Cup tango at the Candon Arena on Saturday, August 24, in Ilocos Sur.

Felix Lemetti, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 Rookie Draft, caught fire late in the game and posted 13 points and three assists, while returning import Aaron Fuller had 15 markers and 23 boards to power the E-Painters to a 2-0 start in Group B.

Also standing out was Andrei Caracut as the former De La Salle Green Archer poured in 14 markers, two assists and two boards, while former Ateneo Blue Eagle Gian Mamuyac continued to be solid for Guiao, posting nine points, three rebounds and two dimes.

Meanwhile, veteran big Japeth Aguilar had a 20-point, nine-rebound game, and backstopping him were Justine Brownlee (18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal), and newcomer Stephen Holt (13 points, nine rebounds, two assists).

However, Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos had a forgettable PBA debut for the Kings as he only had two points on an abysmal 1-of-15 shooting.

Also with a cold hand was Isaac Go, who scored the same amount of points while shooting 1-of-14 from the field.

It was a close encounter between the two squads until late in the fourth, with the two teams even being tied at 64 after Lemetti hit the second of his four attempts from the line after he was hit while shooting a 27-footer at the 3:53 mark.

Lemetti then going 3-of-4 from the line allowed Painters to overtake Ginebra by a point, while a Jhonard Clarito basket further extended it to three, 67-64.

Mamuyac and Fuller widened their lead to six, 70-64, as the pair both had trips at the 15-foot-line before the clock hit 1:39, but it was a Lemetti three-pointer with only a minute and eight remaining in the game that served as a dagger to Ginebra and their fans’ hearts in their Season 49 debut. (ABS-CBN News)

RAIN OR SHINE 73 — Fuller 16, Caracut 14, Lemetti 13, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 5, Clarito 4, Belga 3, Ildefonso 3, Santillan 2, Nocum 2, Datu 2, Norwood 0, Asistio 0, Borboran 0.

GINEBRA 64 — J. Aguilar 20, Brownlee 18, Holt 13, Ahanmisi 5, Thompson 4, Go 2, Abarrientos 2, Cu 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 29-34, 51-52, 73-64.