PBA: Caelan Tiongson waxes hot as Rain or Shine adds to Barangay Ginebra's woes

Caelan Tiongson torched Barangay Ginebra from outside to steer Rain or Shine to a 110-99 victory in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tiongson dropped five triples to finish with 21 points, together with five rebounds and one assist, as the Elasto Painters secured their second win in a row after a 0-2 start while import Aaron Fuller churned out 37 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.

"Sinasabi ko sa team na if you want to get back in contention or at least give ourselves a chance to make Top 4 in our group, we must win this game, get us back sa race, and then look forward to improving," Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said.

"Disappointing 'yung first two losses namin but I think it's a wake-up call. After that, we've been playing better defense and better rebounding.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao says their slow start in the conference served as a wake up call for them. Now, the Elasto Painters are at 2-2 after defeating Barangay Ginebra, 110-99 @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/77s8RZuiVZ

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 26, 2026

In its first game against Barangay Ginebra since their semifinals showdown last conference where the Gin Kings advanced, the Elasto Painters made sure to get it right this time with Fuller and Tiongson firing on all cylinders in the first two quarters for a 53-46 halftime lead.

Tiongson stepped on the gas pedal further, knocking down three more triples to open the third to send Rain or Shine to a 64-52 cushion before Adrian Nocum and Luis Villegas each buried a three-pointer to extend that lead to 82-66.

The Gin Kings did try to fight back with Jeremiah Gray, Ralph Cu, and Troy Rosario each sinking a triple, but those could only cut the gap to 13, 82-95, early in the fourth period.

Fuller took over in the final minutes, scoring 10 of their last 15 points as Rain or Shine revived its campaign after losing to Blackwater and Meralco to open their conference.

Riley Grigsby poured in 25 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while RJ Abarrientos and Rosario both finished with 13 markers as they absorbed their second loss in three games.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 110 – Fuller 37, Tiongson 21, Nocum 13, Clarito 13, Cuajao 9, Villegas 5, Malonzo 4, Manaytay 4, Caracut 2, David 2, Asistio 0.

Barangay Ginebra 99– Grigsby 25, Abarrientos 13, Rosario 13, Gray 11, Holt 10, J.Aguilar 10, Abis 7, Cu 6, Go 2, Carino 2, Torres 0, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 33-29, 53-46, 89-73, 110-99.

—JKC, GMA News