The 2008–09 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters season was the 3rd season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The team's notable move was drafting their future star Gabe Norwood of George Mason University. The team also drafted La Salle point guard TY Tang. They also traded the last year's first pick Joe Devance to Alaska Aces for Sol Mercado and Eddie Laure.
The team reached the semifinals for the first time in franchise history in 2009 Fiesta Conference, but lost to Ginebra.
Key dates
August 31: The 2008 PBA draft took place in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
Draft picks
RoundPickPlayerHeightPositionNationalityCollege11Gabe Norwood6 ft. 5 in.Shooting guarrdGeorge Mason212Tyrone Tang5 ft. 7 in.Point guardDe La Salle
Roster
Results
Philippine Cup
Team standings
Schedule
Bracket
Quarterfinals: (4) Rain or Shine vs (5) Sta. Lucia In their first playoff appearance since joining the league in 2006, the Elasto Painters were overwhelmed in Game 1 by the defending champions, who played with the comebacking Ryan Reyes who just came from injury. Fracas involving Rain or Shine's Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado at the end of the first game caused Norwood to be suspended in Game 2, and Mercado on Game 3 if it happens. The short-handed Elasto Painters wound up short in Game 2 as they were eliminated.
Fiesta Conference
Standings
Results
Results above and to the left of the gray boxes are first round games; those below and to the right are second round games.
Second seed playoff
Bracket
Wildcard phase Note: Rain or Shine and Burger King possessed the twice to beat advantage but it was not used as their opponents failed to win to extend the series into a deciding game.
Quarterfinals: (3) Rain or Shine vs. (6) Purefoods
Semifinals: (2) Barangay Ginebra vs (3) Rain or Shine
Third place playoff
Transactions
Trades 2008 post-draftTo Rain or Shine Sol Mercado, Eddie Laure, future picksTo Alaska Joe Devance
Imports recruited PlayerDebutedLast gameRecord Charles ClarkMarch 1March 71–1 Jai LewisMarch 12July 113–9
References