MANILA, Philippines – Adrian Nocum hardly needed to loosen up as he helped keep Rain or Shine unscathed in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Sidelined for the entire opening quarter, Nocum fired 19 of his 21 points in the second period in powering Rain or Shine to a come-from-behind 116-99 win over import-less Phoenix at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, August 30.
Nocum, who also finished with 3 blocks, shot 8-of-9 in the second frame as Rain or Shine overcame another sluggish start to improve to 4-0 in Group B and remain as the only unbeaten team in the PBA.
The sophomore guard is the fourth player to win Best Player of the Game honors for the Elasto Painters after import Aaron Fuller (vs Blackwater), Felix Lemetti (vs Barangay Ginebra), and Jhonard Clarito (vs NLEX).
“We’re doing fine, we’re doing well. It is also a treat to see different guys sit with me here, that means different players are contributing,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao during the post-game press conference.
The Fuel Masters paraded an all-Filipino lineup after Le’Bryan Nash, their import replacement for Jayveous McKinnis, failed to meet the 6-foot-6 limit.
But even without a reinforcement, Phoenix caught fire early and even mounted a lead as big as 25-13 behind Ricci Rivero and RJ Jazul.
The entry of Nocum in the second quarter, though, flipped the script as the Elasto Painters forged a 55-55 deadlock at halftime before they pulled away in the last two periods.
Fuller produced another monster outing of 28 points and 22 rebounds, while Clarito followed up his 24-point showing against the Road Warriors with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Andrei Caracut added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists as Rain or Shine matched its all-time best start in a conference of 4-0, which it accomplished in the 2012 Governors’ Cup on the way to its first title in franchise history.
Guiao, however, feels it is too early to talk about contending for a championship.
“I keep reminding the guys, yes we’re 4-0, but all this is fragile. You lose two games in a row, you lose to a team without an import… all of that is going to dissolve and you’ll just be another regular team again,” said Guiao.
“All of this is temporary. We’re hoping to stretch this win.”
Jazul and Jayjay Alejandro fired 12 points apiece for Phoenix, which stayed winless in three games and dropped to a share of last place in Group B with Blackwater.
Rookie Kai Ballungay tallied 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Rivero put up 10 points in the loss.
Rain or Shine 116 – Fuller 28, Nocum 21, Clarito 15, Caracut 13, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Santillan 6, Datu 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 1, Lemetti 0, Villegas 0.
Phoenix 99 – Jazul 12, Alejandro 12, Ballungay 11, Rivero 10, Muyang 9, Tio 8, Salado 8, Perkins 8, Verano 7, Tuffin 5, Mocon 5, Daves 4, Garcia 0, Soyud 0, Manganti 0.
Quarters: 19-29, 55-55, 84-76, 116-99.
– Rappler.com
