Adrian Nocum’s timely explosion in the second quarter turned the tide for Rain or Shine, which caught up with Phoenix and survived an ensuing seesaw battle for its fourth straight win in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.
Needing something to spark its offense after a slow start against Phoenix, Rain or Shine leaned on youthful Adrian Nocum to provide just that on Friday, Aug. 30.
Nocum responded with 19 big points in the second period and the Elasto Painters went on to hammer out a 116-99 win against the Elasto Painters — their fourth straight in as many games — in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
That output was the most in a quarter since NLEX star Robert Bolick’s 20 in the opening period of the Road Warriors' 93-97 loss to Meralco in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals last season, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
[WATCH: Adrian Nocum comes alive in 2Q, sparks Rain or Shine's 4th straight win vs Phoenix | PBA Highlights]
The former Mapua stalwart insisted he was simply at the right place at the right time.
“Talagang ang [mindset] ko lang talaga, 'pag may run, tatakbo lang ako kasi alam ko namang ibibigay ng mga teammates ko. Natiyempo lang din talagang lahat ng fastbreak, laging nalilibre ako,” Nocum said after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rain or Shine's Adrian Nocum tries to evade his Phoenix defender on Friday, Aug. 30.
Rain or Shine thus became the only undefeated team in the conference, its pristine 4-0 record topping Group B.
Nocum attributed that to the Elasto Painters finally developing the chemistry that has proven useful when the going got tough for the team in the last two matches where they clawed back from double-digit deficits.
“Nararamdaman kong sobrang solid namin off and on the court. 'Yung samahan namin, talagang nagkakaisa kami,” said Nocum.
But with a talented young core reinforced by veterans like Beau Belga that enabled the squad to take four early wins including one against Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine could soon be considered as among the title contenders.
But not yet, said coach Yeng Guiao.
“Hindi pa naman title contention,” said Guiao when asked whether a win against mighty San Miguel in the Elasto Painters next game could give them the confidence to go all the way.
“Naliliitan pa ako sa sample size natin. Four games pa lang. Makalaban namin San Miguel, five games pa lang. Kailangan kasi alam mong matatag ka sa playoffs, eh. Alam mo kung magaling ka talaga at contender ka 'pag nasa playoffs ka na at nakakapagbigay ka ng magandang laban.”
He added: “'Yung ibang teams dito painit pa lang, 'yung ibang teams na late naghanda ng preseason. So makikita mo ang galing nila siguro towards the middle or end of eliminations. Maganda lang makita na nananalo ka pero mahirap na title contender na kami. Hindi mo pa rin masasabi 'yun.”
Still, Guiao could not help but feel happy with the way the Elasto Painters have been playing.
“We’re doing fine; we’re doing well. It’s also a treat to see three different guys sit with me here sa post-game interview. That means iba-iba 'yung nagku-contribute sa laro,” the firebrand mentor said.
Import Aaron Fuller was Rain or Shine's back-to-back Player of the Game in its first two matches against Blackwater and Ginebra. But its local crew stepped up, with Jhonard Clarito shining against NLEX before Nocum stole the show versus the Fuel Masters.