The longer the series goes, the better it is as far as Rain or Shine is concerned after the ElastoPainters finally got on the board in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series with a TNT side that’s facing plenty of adversities.

“If we can push this series longer, the better for us,” coach Yeng Guiao said on Sunday after the Painters outlasted the Tropang Giga in Game 3, 93-88, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Rain or Shine reduced its deficit in the best-of-seven series to 2-1 with the win and the opportunity to capitalize on the absence of veteran guard Jayson Castro and the incident involving TNT teammates Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin.

Castro was ruled out for the rest of the playoffs and the entire season after a knee injury in Game 2, and his absence clearly affected how the Tropang Giga played throughout the contest Rain or Shine desperately needed to win.

Then, Erram somewhat unraveled in the second quarter when, after being slapped with a technical foul for continuous complaining, he got into a verbal tussle coupled with a few bumps with Khobuntin, who was trying to pacify his fellow Cagayan de Oro pal.

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Shooting to tie

Both immediately patched things up, but it compounded what was a difficult night of basketball for TNT, which, despite a 34-point, 19-rebound effort from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, fell short of putting a stranglehold on the semis.

Rain or Shine will try to even things up in Game 4 on Wednesday at the same venue, and Guiao vows a fighting effort from his wards, like it had shown during its two losses.

“We’re the underdogs in this series, but the most important thing is that you show that you put up a fight every night, play at your very best and give the basketball public the enjoyment that they’re looking for,” said Guiao.

Rain or Shine hasn’t made it to a Finals series since winning this same conference in 2016.

Incidentally, all of Guiao’s PBA titles have come in import-laced conferences.

The Rain or Shine-TNT is a big contrast to the one-sided affair between Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort, which were facing off in their own Game 3 at press time.

Ginebra is favored to take a 3-0 lead after a pair of blowout wins, unless NorthPort finally shows up and makes things interesting.

Import Deon Thompson had 19 points and 18 rebounds with four assists for Rain or Shine, but rookie Caelan Tiongson put up key contributions on both ends of the floor and Adrian Nocum came up with big baskets that wowed the audience.

Tiongson, who has been a subject of online talk after being linked with Aiah of popular girl group BINI, produced 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists while also forcing Hollis-Jefferson to work for his baskets.

Nocum added 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists and made key conversions during the final moments to put TNT at bay. INQ