What Is 2017-18 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017–18 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters season was the team's 12th in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), finishing with a 7–4 record in the Philippine Cup and reaching the semifinals. They were led by head coach Yeng Guiao and key players like Jeff Chan and Paul Lee.

Key Facts

The 2017–18 season marked the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' 12th PBA season.
Head coach Yeng Guiao led the team with an aggressive, fast-paced system.
The team finished 3rd in the Philippine Cup eliminations with a 7–4 record.
Rain or Shine defeated Alaska in the quarterfinals but lost to Magnolia in the semifinals.
Key players included Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Raymond Almazan, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Beau Belga.

Overview

The 2017–18 season for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters marked their 12th campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Competing in the league's three conferences—the Philippine Cup, Commissioner's Cup, and Governors' Cup—the team remained competitive under head coach Yeng Guiao, known for his high-pressure, fast-tempo system.

With a core of experienced players and strategic imports, the Elasto Painters aimed for a championship breakthrough. The season was highlighted by strong defensive performances and balanced scoring, particularly during the Philippine Cup, where they advanced deep into the playoffs.

Team identity: Rain or Shine continued to emphasize team defense and ball movement, a hallmark of Yeng Guiao’s coaching philosophy since he took over in 2013.
Season start: The 2017–18 PBA season officially began in February 2018 with the Philippine Cup, the only conference without imports.
Regular season record: The Elasto Painters finished the Philippine Cup eliminations with a 7–4 win-loss record, securing the third seed.
Playoff run: They defeated Alaska Aces in the quarterfinals but were eliminated by Magnolia Hotshots in the semifinals in a 3–2 series loss.
Key contributor: Guard Paul Lee averaged 16.8 points per game during the Philippine Cup, leading the team in scoring.

How It Works

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ success in the 2017–18 season stemmed from a blend of disciplined coaching, player rotation, and strategic import selection across conferences.

System and Style: Yeng Guiao employed a full-court pressure defense and fast break offense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on transition scoring opportunities consistently.
Player Roles:Jeff Chan served as the primary three-point threat, averaging 38% from beyond the arc in the Philippine Cup, spacing the floor for drives.
Frontcourt Anchor:Raymond Almazan provided interior defense and rebounding, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game and anchoring the paint during crucial matchups.
Backcourt Depth: Rookie Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 9.2 points and 3.1 assists per game, adding playmaking and defensive versatility in the guard rotation.
Import Strategy: In the Commissioner’s Cup, Rain or Shine signed Marqus Blakely, who averaged 22.4 points and 15.1 rebounds before being replaced mid-conference.
Leadership: Veteran Beau Belga brought toughness and experience, averaging 4.3 fouls per game—a testament to his physical, high-effort defensive role.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017–18 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stacked up against key rivals in the Philippine Cup:

Team	Win-Loss Record	Final Standing	Playoff Result	Top Scorer (PPG)
Rain or Shine	7–4	3rd	Semifinals (lost to Magnolia)	Paul Lee (16.8)
Magnolia Hotshots	8–3	2nd	Finals (lost to SMB)	Justin Brownlee (20.1)
San Miguel Beermen	9–2	1st	Champions	June Mar Fajardo (19.3)
Alaska Aces	6–5	6th	Quarterfinals (lost to Rain or Shine)	Mike Harris (22.7)
Barangay Ginebra	5–6	8th	Did not advance	LA Tenorio (13.5)

The Elasto Painters were one of the few teams to challenge the eventual champions, San Miguel Beermen, during the season. Their balanced scoring and defensive intensity kept them competitive, but depth and experience in the later rounds proved decisive. Despite falling short of the finals, the 2017–18 season reinforced Rain or Shine’s status as a consistent playoff contender.

Why It Matters

The 2017–18 season was pivotal for Rain or Shine in maintaining franchise relevance and developing young talent under high-pressure conditions. Their performance underscored the effectiveness of Yeng Guiao’s system and provided a blueprint for future competitiveness.

Player development:Maverick Ahanmisi emerged as a reliable rotation guard, setting the stage for a long-term role in the team’s backcourt.
Coaching legacy: Yeng Guiao’s strategies continued to influence PBA coaching philosophies, emphasizing pressure defense and team-first basketball.
Franchise consistency: The Elasto Painters have made the playoffs in 10 of their first 12 seasons, a testament to stable management and player development.
Import adaptability: The mid-season import change highlighted the team’s ability to adjust strategies based on player performance and matchup needs.
Competitive balance: Their success contributed to the PBA’s narrative of parity, where no single team dominated across all conferences.
Fan engagement: Strong performances kept fan support high, with home games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum averaging over 8,000 attendees during playoffs.

Overall, the 2017–18 season was a testament to resilience and strategic depth, ensuring Rain or Shine remained a respected force in the PBA landscape.