A consistent semifinal contender in recent PBA conferences, Rain or Shine has been working tirelessly to find the right formula and finally break its title drought in the Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters' 112-111 victory over the newcomers Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Sunday, Oct. 26, was a strong sign they are nearing their full potential.

Caught in a familiar situation when Rain or Shine absorbed a 113-112 loss to San Miguel, no thanks to June Mar Fajardo's game-winning jumper last year, the wards of head coach Yeng Guiao responded well and avoided a late-game meltdown.

It was a testament of the team's true character in the face of adversity.

“Sinabi ko na rin ‘to that’s where you find character when you’re able to win while playing a bad game,” he added.

Rain or Shine struggled big time, especially in the third where it was trailing Titan Ultra by 19, 85-66.

Fortunately, Santi Santillan stepped up for the Elasto Painters, unloading 13 of his 21 points in the third canto to cut the deficit to just 11, 81-92, heading into the fourth.

From there, they outscored the Giant Risers, 31-19, which was capped by Anton Asistio who forced his defender Joshua Munzon to take the bait and fished a foul from beyond the three-point line.

“We designed that last play for Anton [Asistio], but we did not really anticipate that it was going to be a four-point shot. We thought that a three was enough,” Guiao stressed.

“But it was Anton really just with his natural intelligence, siguro, put up the four, we knew they were going to foul, na-anticipate na namin ‘yong foul,” he added. “Kaya ang sinabi namin na when you about to feel you’re getting fouled, you put up a shot, that’s exactly what Anton did.”

More impressively, Asistio, who finished with 11 points, was off the bench prior to his four free-throw baskets. But Guiao didn't care as he was well aware of what the former Ateneo guard is capable of.

“We’re very confident that Anton would step up and he would be able to make at least three of those four, kasi makatlo man sya at least overtime,” said Guiao.

“Actually Anton was called off the bench kasi medyo matagal sya na ipahinga, pero we knew that setup was really what Anton is good at, so binigay namin sa kanya ‘yong opportunity na ‘yon,” he added.

The Elasto Painters, who hiked their record to 3-1 which built a five-way tie with TNT, Magnolia, NLEX, and Converge, go for four in a row against the Terrafirma Dyip this Friday, Oct. 31, at the same venue.