RAIN or Shine guard Andrei Caracut knows the team may have lost some momentum during the long break, but he insists the Elasto Painters must keep their winning mentality intact as they prepare for their PBA On Tour game later this month.
The Elasto Painters are set to face TNT Tropang 5G on September 26 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur in one of six exhibition games lined up for the 2026 PBA On Tour.
While the games will not count toward the official Governors’ Cup standings, Caracut sees the tour as an important opportunity for Rain or Shine to get back into competitive rhythm before the league resumes.
“Malaking bagay din ’yun kasi medyo malayo iyung games eh,” Caracut said. “Kahit papaano, maka-compete. Siyempre, kailangan din masanay na maglaro din kalaban ninyo ibang mga players.”
Rain or Shine is currently first in Group B of the Governors’ Cup standings with a 4-2 record, behind only league-leading NLEX in Group A overall classification..
With the long layoff potentially affecting their momentum, Caracut admitted the team will need to work to regain its rhythm.
“Same mindset naman,” he said. “Siyempre, kailangan pagtrabahuhan din. Medyo nawala rin iyung momentum pero yung winning attitude kailangan nandun pa rin.”
Caracut stressed that Rain or Shine cannot afford to become complacent, especially with the team still fighting for position when the Governors’ Cup resumes.
“Syempre, kailangan pa rin manalo kasi sa bracket namin wala namang sure,” he said.
The PBA On Tour will also feature matchups involving NLEX, Blackwater, San Miguel, Phoenix, Meralco, Converge and Magnolia across Bulacan, Isabela, Batangas and Ilocos Sur.
For Rain or Shine, the September 26 exhibition against TNT will provide another chance for the Elasto Painters to sharpen their game and maintain the mindset that has helped them put together a strong Governors’ Cup campaign. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
