This TNT-Rain or Shine semifinals in the PBA Commissioner's Cup will be the third straight playoff duel for both teams after meeting in the Governors' Cup and last season's Philippine Cup.
TNT is set to face a familiar foe as Rain or Shine set the stage for another playoff showdown in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
The Tropang Giga and the Elasto Painters duke it out in the best-of-seven series, marking their third playoff matchup in the last three PBA conferences.
[RELATED STORY: TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson braces for Ramadan, PBA Commissioner's Cup semis]
But action needs to pause for a while, since the PBA is giving way to Gilas Pilipinas, who will prepare for their road games against Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers later this month.
In the meantime, here’s a lookback at TNT and Rain or Shine's respective journeys to the semifinals.
How they got to the semifinals
TNT Tropang Giga (8-4 record, no. 2 seed)
After winding up second at the end of the elimination round, the Tropang Giga needed to beat guest team Eastern once to advance.
TNT exploited its advantage over a weary Eastern, which was coming off a game in the East Asia Super League outside the country less than 24 hours earlier.
That’s why TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had nothing but praise for their foes, who were actually playing in three leagues simultaneously.
[ALSO READ: PBA: TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gives props to weary Eastern for tough balancing act]
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (7-5 record, no. 6 seed)
Rain or Shine had a relatively harder path to the penultimate stage.
After a fiery start, the Elasto Painters dropped four of their last six games in the elimination round to settle for sixth place.
[ALSO READ: Rain or Shine frustrates Converge in deciding Game 3, advances to semis in PBA Comm's Cup]
They needed three grueling games against Converge in the quarterfinals before getting the safe passage to the semis.
TNT and Rain or Shine’s previous matchup
In their final elims assignment, Rain or Shine dealt TNT a 106-96 loss last January 31.
Anton Asistio starred for the Elasto Painters, and the win actually allowed Rain or Shine to clinch the no. 6 seed, avoiding complications with quotient for 7th and 8th.
The former Ateneo ace fired career-high six triples on his way to 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
[ALSO READ: Anton Asistio hits career-high in 3s as Rain or Shine bests TNT in crucial tiff]
TNT, though, still went on to the quarterfinals as the no. 2 seed with the twice-to-beat incentive. The Tropang Giga likewise hold a bit of a mental edge as they beat Rain or Shine in the semis, 4-1, on the way to the Governors' Cup championship in the previous conference.