One-of-a-kind Nocum lives up to potential as Rain or Shine stays alive

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Adrian Nocum catches fire in the fourth quarter and delivers his best scoring performance in the playoffs as Rain or Shine forces a do-or-die game against Converge

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao saw great promise in Adrian Nocum when the Elasto Painters drafted the dynamic guard two years ago. 

And with Rain or Shine on the brink of elimination, Nocum lived up to his potential and starred in a 114-104 win over Converge in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, February 7.

Nocum delivered a playoff career-high 28 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals off the bench as the Elasto Painters knotted best-of-three series at 1-1.

Sixteen of his points came in the pivotal fourth quarter, with Nocum going a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range to help Rain or Shine pull away and force a do-or-die Game 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday.

“He is one of a kind,” said Guiao in Filipino when asked if Nocum reminded him of players he coached in the past.

“When he first joined the team, I told him he has a talent of slashing to the basket, he has speed, but he was inconsistent with his outside shot. I said if he developed his outside shot — he plays defense and he is athletic — I told him he can be an MVP.” 

“I was just fooling around with him. He believed,” added Guiao in jest. 

The FiberXers were still within shouting distance after a Jordan Heading bucket cut their deficit to 95-102 with over five minutes remaining before Nocum let loose.

Nocum skied for a layup and drained a pair of three-pointers in an 11-6 run that gave the Elasto Painters a comfortable 113-101 lead with only under 1:40 minutes to play. 

Deon Thompson also finished with 28 points on top of 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks for Rain or Shine, which stayed on track of reaching the semifinals for the third straight conference.

Jhonard Clarito also stepped up in the win with 19 points and Anton Asistio added 10 points, including a buzzer-beating four-pointer at the end of the third quarter that propped up an 85-80 lead.

“We want to be in this kind of situations. For a team that is really hoping to develop into a contender, we need these situations. We need these tests for ourselves,” said Guiao. 

Heading netted a game-high 29 points following a sizzling start that saw him explode for 18 points in the first quarter, which ended with Converge ahead at 29-23.

But Heading, who also tallied 7 rebounds and 6 assists, slowed down the rest of the way after being the focus of the Elasto Painters’ defense. 

Alec Stockton had 20 points in the loss, import Cheick Diallo put up 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Justin Arana chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. 

The Scores

Rain or Shine 114 – Thompson 28, Nocum 28, Clarito 19, Asistio 10, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 5, Datu 5, Malonzo 5, Belga 0.

Converge 104 – Heading 29, Stockton 20, Diallo 17, Arana 17, Winston 10, Santos 5, Baltazar 3, Nieto 3, Delos Santos 0, Garcia 0, Racal 0, Andrade 0.

Quarters: 23-29, 51-53, 70-68, 114-104.

– Rappler.com