Rain or Shine caught fire and hit shots from almost everywhere to break out of its slump and trounce NorthPort, 127-107, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Struggling with their offense that led to their back-to-back losses, the Elasto Painters seemed to have finally woke up on the right side of the bed, firing a high 50-percent clip from the field to get back on the winning track and stay in the hunt for the Top 2 spots.

Rain or Shine improved to a 6-3 record, forging a four-way tie from the fourth to seventh spots with Eastern, Meralco and Barangay Ginebra while dragging NorthPort out of the top spot after it dropped to a 7-3 slate in tie with Converge.

The patented balanced attack for the Elasto Painters were also back with import Deon Thompson leading seven Rain or Shine players in double-figures with his 27 points to go with 11 rebounds and two blocks

Adrian Nocum, who was limited to a season-low seven points the last time out, bounced back with 16 points laced with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Santi Santillan, who was still recovering from flu-like symptoms, also chipped in 16.

Andrei Caracut added 13 while Anton Asistio had 12, Keith Datu with 11 and Beau Belga with 10 as ROS was hardly threatened by NorthPort since it took complete control of the contest behind a scintillating first half scoring.

The Elasto Painters took a 62-44 lead at the break and the closest the Batang Pier could get was 12, 102-80, early in the final frame.

ROS, however, easily regained footing and even went on to establish the biggest lead at 25, 121-96, late in the game.

Despite NorthPort losing its winning touch, Kadeem Jack continued with his explosive play with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Arvin Tolentino finished with 19 while Joshua Munzon had 17 in a losing effort for NorthPort which now has relinquished the top spot to the streaking TNT.