Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Infobox PBA team
color1=#cd3301
color2=#fde334
name=Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
logo=Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.jpg
picsize=95
founded=2006-07
history="In the PBL:"
Welcoat House Paints
1996-1999
Welcoat Paint Masters
2000-2005
St. Benilde-Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
2006
"In the PBA:"
Welcoat Dragons
2006-2008
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
2008-present
colors=Red, yellow and white
company=Asian Coatings Philippines
coach=Caloy Garcia
titles= PBL: 5 (1999 1st Challenge Cup, 1999 2nd Challenge Cup, 2000 Chairman's Cup, 2001 Chairman's Cup, 2002 Challenge Cup, 2005 Unity Cup)
PBA: none
pattern l=_thinyellowsides|body l=ffffff|shorts l=ffffff|patterns l=|title l=Light uniform
pattern d=_thinredsides|body d=fde334|shorts d=fde334|patterns d=|title d=Dark uniform|

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is the newest team in the Philippine Basketball Association, debuting on the 2006-07 PBA season. From 1996-2006, it was a member of the semi-professional Philippine Basketball League, carrying the name Welcoat House Paints, Welcoat Paintmasters and the St. Benilde-Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The team acquired the franchise rights of the Shell Turbo Chargers, who disbanded after the 2004-05 PBA season.

History

Philippine Basketball League

Welcoat became a member of the Philippine Basketball League during the mid-90's, even PBA legend Samboy Lim suited up for the team, minus his traditional high socks. Their first championship came in the 1999 Challenge Cup, winning 3-0 over Red Bull Energy Drink.

Welcoat was considered as one of the two teams to enter the PBA before the 2000 season but lost out to Red Bull.

Since then the Paint Masters won five more championships, fielding in the best amateur and former Metropolitan Basketball Association players available, most notably Don Allado, Renren Ritualo, Yancy de Ocampo, Rommel Adducul, Ronald Tubid, James Yap, Paul Artadi and Anthony Washington.

One of their biggest rivals from 2000-2002 was Shark Energy Drink, with current PBA players Chester Tolomia (later joined Welcoat in 2004), Roger Yap and later Rain or Shine member Gilbert Malabanan, as both teams engaged in four straight finals series, splitting both series in the process.

In 2005, Welcoat changed its name to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, one of the products of their parent company, Welbest. The Elasto Painters made it all the way to the finals of the Heroes Cup against Magnolia. After leading the series 2-0, Rain or Shine suffered one of the biggest collapses in league history as the Wizards won the series in five games.

In 2006 PBL Unity Cup, the Elasto Painters were swept in the semifinals by Toyota-Otis Sparks to end their four consecutive finals appearance, but placed third in a one-game playoff against Montana Pawnshop on June 8.

Prior to the start of Game 3 of the Unity Cup title series between Harbour Centre and Toyota-Otis on June 13, 2006, the league awarded the team with the Dynasty Award for their 10 years of success in the league. Several past and present members of the Welcoat franchise were on hand, as they brought their six championship trophies during the ceremony.

Philippine Basketball Association

Players of note

=PBA's 25th anniversary all-time team=

* Samboy Lim, former player, assistant coach and consultant in their Philippine Basketball League squad.

Other notable players

Includes people that played for the Welcoat franchise in the PBL.
* Eugene Tan
* Yancey De Ocampo
* Ren Ren Ritualo
* James Yap
* Ronald Tubid
* Rommel Adducul
* Marc Pingris
* Calijohn Orfrecio
* Celino Cruz
* Jojo Manalo
* JR Reyes
* Christian Guevarra
* Ronjay Enrile
* Gilbert Malabanan
* Marvin Ortiguerra
* Mac Cuan
* Caloy Garcia
* Derrick Canlas
* Dino Aldeguer
* Anton Villoria
* Allen Patrimonio
* Ryan Dy
* Marc Almonte
* Joshua Dolor
* Joseph Songco
* Mark Alfonso

PBL Championships

*1999 1st PBL Challenge Cup (def. Red Bull 3-0)
*1999 2nd PBL Challenge Cup (def. ANA Water Dispenser 3-0)
*2000 PBL Chairman's Cup (def. Shark Energy Drink 4-0)
*2001 PBL Cup (def. Shark Energy Drink 4-0)
*2002 PBL Challenge Cup (def. Dazz 3-0)
*2005 PBL Unity Cup (def. Montana 3-1)

External links

* [http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=14230 Enter the Dragons: Welcoat undergoes a ‘paint-staking’ makeover]
* [http://www.mypbl.com/home.php MYPBL.com: Rain or Shine]
* [http://www.philippinenews.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=a4a776aeb8b7707c4815deb46807f43d PhilippineNews.com: Welcoat team: ‘Genesis’ of great players]
* [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/01/21/sports/pba.offers.franchise.to.welcoat.paints.html Sunstar Cebu: PBA offers franchise to Welcoat Paints]
* [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/jan/21/yehey/sports/20060121spo1.html Manila Times: Welcoat poised to enter PBA via Shell’s franchise]
* [http://www.journal.com.ph/news.asp?pid=2&sid=8&nid=18729&month=1&day=31&year=2006 Journal: Welcoat joins PBA family]
* [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/feb/27/yehey/sports/20060227spo6.html Manila Times: PBA welcomes Welcoat Paints as 10th member]
* [http://www.pba.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=872&Itemid=59 PBA.ph: Welcoat wants Compton in PBA debut]

References