Anton Asistio: The unlikely hero Igniting Rain or Shine’s semifinals comeback against TNT

In a pivotal Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Rain or Shine found their unlikely hero in Anton Asistio, whose explosive performance propelled the Elasto Painters to a dominant 107-86 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga. 

This breakthrough win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum sliced TNT’s series lead to 2-1, breathing new life into Rain or Shine’s championship aspirations.

Coming into Game 3, Asistio had been largely quiet, averaging just three points in the first two games of the best-of-seven series. However, with the Elasto Painters facing a daunting 0-2 deficit and the possibility of falling into an insurmountable hole, the former Ateneo guard rose to the occasion with a career-high 24 points.

Asistio’s offensive outburst was highlighted by a scorching display from beyond the arc, where he drained four triples and, notably, two crucial “four-point” shots that expanded Rain or Shine’s lead. 

His most memorable moment came at the close of the third quarter, when he banked in a dramatic four-pointer at the buzzer over Almond Vosotros, pushing Rain or Shine’s lead to a commanding 84-57 entering the final period. He wasn’t done there, sinking another from the same range in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 105-76.

“I was just being ready to step up because we’re incomplete,” Asistio remarked after the game, acknowledging the absence of injured teammate Felix Lemetti and the need for others to contribute. “Coach Yeng [Guiao] told us that the eliminations are different from the semifinals. The farther you go, the more you have to elevate your game.”

LUPET NON, ANTON

Anton Asistio beats the buzzer with a solid four-pointer to keep the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ double-digit lead intact against the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.#PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/npaL1Fs5vy

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 29, 2025

And elevate his game, Asistio certainly did. His 14-point eruption in the third quarter alone effectively buried the Tropang Giga, who were already reeling from the absence of star guard Roger Pogoy due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 2.

Rain or Shine Head Coach Yeng Guiao praised his team’s effort and resilience, especially after a heartbreaking Game 2 where they squandered a substantial lead. “Even after the loss in the last game, I was really happy with the effort. The effort was there,” Guiao stated. 

“We just lost the game because we just didn’t make enough free throws, just a very low percentage from the free throw line, and we made one bad decision.” This time, the Elasto Painters were sharp from the stripe, going 16-of-18, a significant improvement.

Beyond Asistio’s heroics, the Elasto Painters showcased a balanced attack with Caelan Tiongson adding 16 points, Keith Datu delivering a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Leonard Santillan and Adrian Nocum chipping in 12 and 10 points respectively. The collective effort, coupled with TNT’s struggles in Pogoy’s absence, proved to be the winning formula for Rain or Shine.

The win has instilled a newfound confidence in the Rain or Shine camp. Asistio’s breakout performance serves as a powerful reminder that in the playoffs, unexpected heroes can emerge to change the complexion of a series. Rain or Shine will look to carry this momentum into Game 4 on Wednesday, July 2, as they aim to level the series at 2-2.

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