Nocum shines late as Rain or Shine trims semis deficit vs TNT to 1-2

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Earning the trust of coach Yeng Guiao, sophomore guard Adrian Nocum delivers the goods down the stretch as Rain or Shine edges TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals

MANILA, Philippines – Adrian Nocum made key plays down the stretch, steering Rain or Shine to a 103-98 win over TNT in Game 3 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 2.

Nocum finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Elasto Painters snapped their four-game playoff skid to the Tropang Giga and chopped their deficit in the best-of-seven clash to 1-2.

Earning the trust of head coach Yeng Guiao, the sophomore guard poured 8 points in the final quarter and dished out a pair of assists inside the final two minutes, allowing Rain or Shine to create enough separation.

Nocum assisted Gian Mamuyac and Caelan Tiongson in back-to-back plays as the Elasto Painters mounted a 98-90 lead, which proved sufficient in warding off a TNT comeback powered by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

“We’re hoping to push this series into a long series. We made it 2-1, that means there are a minimum of five games,” said Guiao in a mix of Filipino and English. “We want this series to reach seven games.”

“The longer it takes, the better for us.”

Hollis-Jefferson refused to go down without a fight, knocking down a pair of improbable four-pointers in a span of eight seconds to pull the Tropang Giga within 98-101.

But Mamuyac sealed the win by sinking his two free throws.

Deon Thompson paced Rain or Shine with a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds, Tiongson tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Mamuyac added 9 points.

Anton Asistio chimed in 12 points for the Elasto Painters, who beat TNT in the playoffs for the first time since they also won Game 3 of their best-of-seven semifinals in the Governors’ Cup earlier this season.

Hollis-Jefferson put the Tropang Giga on his back with 34 points and 19 rebounds, but the absence of veteran guard Jayson Castro took its toll on TNT.

Castro, who averaged 18.5 points in the first two games, is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a patellar tendon tear in his right knee.

Pogoy tossed in 21 points in the loss, which is just the fifth of the conference for the Tropang Giga.

The Scores

Rain or Shine 103 – Thompson 19, Tiongson 18, Nocum 16, Asistio 12, Mamuyac 9, Santillan 8, Clarito 7, Norwood 7, Datu 4, Caracut 3, Lemetti 0.

TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 13, Erram 10, Williams 8, Aurin 8, Nambatac 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Razon 0.

Quarters: 21-21, 49-43, 75-73, 103-98.

– Rappler.com