The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters cruised to their best start in franchise history after surviving the San Miguel Beermen’s comeback storm, 116-112, to remain unscathed in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, April 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Elasto Painters flaunted their fast-paced game to create a lead as big as 25, but the Beermen silenced them early in the fourth quarter with a huge rally. Adrian Nocum, however, showed up when it mattered most to star in the narrow four-point victory.

Nocum posted a conference-high 24 points, including two three-pointers late in the game, along with five rebounds and two assists, while import Jaylen Johnson finished with 24 markers, five boards and three dimes.

San Miguel snapped its two-game winning streak to fall to 3-3 in the team standings.

Rain or Shine capitalized on San Miguel’s depleted roster from early in the second period through the third, as the Beermen were forced to play all-Filipino after import Justin Patton collected five fouls with 9:37 still remaining in the second period.

That allowed the Elasto Painters to create a 92-67 cushion before ending the penultimate period with a 95-73 lead.

However, the Beermen remained unfazed despite facing a large deficit.

San Miguel caught fire from downtown with Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter and Juami Tiongson fueling a huge 26-4 blast to pull within two early in the fourth, 99-97, despite June Mar Fajardo and Cjay Perez sitting on the bench.

Rain or Shine didn’t press the panic button just yet.

Nocum came to the rescue, knocking down a pair of three-pointers for a 108-100 lead before Jhonard Clarito hit a corner three-pointer, 111-104. Lassiter kept carrying San Miguel on his back with two more triples that cut the gap to four, 116-112, with 1:07 left.

San Miguel had two attempts to force a deadlock but Trollano and Patton both misfired their four-point shots as Rain or Shine survived to keep its unbeaten slate.

Lassiter had his best offensive finish in the last six months after tallying 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting from downtown while Patton posted 12 markers and 17 boards. (GMA News)