PBA: Nocum, Rain or Shine hope to play ‘smarter’ in must-win Game 6

Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum gestures during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum had his best game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday, but even his numbers weren’t enough to give the Elasto Painters a crucial 3-2 lead.

Instead, it was Barangay Ginebra which came out on top, 111-104, to move one win closer to a return trip to the PBA Finals.

The Gin Kings didn’t get there easily, though, especially since Nocum waxed hot from the field.

The Rain or Shine rising star is hoping to do that again in Game 6.

“Coach (Yeng Guiao) told us that if you face Ginebra thrice, you’ll know how they play,” Nocum told the Inquirer in Filipino.

READ: PBA: Tempers flare anew in Ginebra-Rain or Shine Game 5 clash

“We just need to be smarter so we can get past the semifinals. We have to work on our things and watch out for our mistakes. We fell short. We just have to see where we lacked and made mistakes so that when Sunday comes, we’ll fix our mistakes.”

Nocum paced Rain or Shine on offense with 25 points, while import Jaylen Johnson finished with a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds.

The Elasto Painters look to stay alive and force a deciding Game 7 on Sunday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

“We really have to watch what we have to adjust. We have to be smarter. Coach told us, whoever’s smarter will advance. We just need to stick together.”

“It’s on us if we want to win and no one else.”