Adrian Nocum came alive in the second half in Rain or Shine’s win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Adrian Nocum went downhill full speed then unabashedly soared against James Kwekuteye and Mike Ayonayon with under a minute left.
Nocum had a lot of electrifying plays like that as Rain or Shine drubbed Blackwater, 122-106, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
After a quiet first half where he only doled out four points, Nocum ended up with 22 and got five rebounds and three steals as the Elasto Painters sustained their winning ways with their fifth straight win in six games.
It turns out, Nocum had additional motivation heading into this match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“Birthday kasi ng asawa ko bukas,” he said with a laugh when asked about where his high-flying acts stem from. “Siguro 'yung family ko.”
Rain or Shine raced off to a 39-16 start, sputtered in the second period, before regaining steam in the second half where Nocum had a field day.
But it wasn’t just the former Mapua standout.
Import Deon Thompson turned in 25 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and a block while turning the ball over only one time.
Santi Santillan scored 20, while Anton Assistio and Caelan Tiongson had 18 and 11 points, respectively.
“It’s a game of runs and we’re able to get enough runs for ourselves to win the game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
George King fired 35 points, a far-cry from the 64-point outing he had against the same team in September last year.
Ayonayon put up 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists and Justin Chua and Christian David added 10 points each.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 122 – Thompson 25, Nocum 22, Santillan 20, Asistio 18, Tiongson 11, Clarito 9, Demusis 8, Caracut 6, Ildefonso 1, Belga 0, Norwood 0, Lemetti 0, Escandor 0.
BLACKWATER 106 – King 35, Ayonayon 11, David 10, Chua 10, Escoto 9, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 6, Kwekuteye 5, Jopia 5, Hill 4, Casio 3, Corteza 2, Guinto 0.
Quarterscores: 39-25, 56-47, 94-79, 122-106