Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Adrian Nocum and Anton Asistio during a game against Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—In last year’s matchup between Rain or Shine and Blackwater in PBA Governors’ Cup action, George King and the Bossing obliterated Elasto Painters.
This time, Adrian Nocum and company made sure Blackwater wouldn’t repeat the same scenario as the Elasto Painters emerged victorious over the Bossing, 122-106, in the Commissioner’s Cup.
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In their last meeting, Nocum only scored nine in the upset loss against the cellar dwellers, but the athletic guard this time made sure to do more with revenge in mind against the Bossing.
“For me, I just stick to whatever my coaches tell me regarding our game plan. Even coach (Yeng Guiao) said that we played well in that game but our opponents just played a lot better,” said Nocum in Filipino at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.
“Every approach I have are the same [from then ’til now]. I just stick to my coaches’ plans.”
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Consistency paid off for Nocum as he scored 22 points while snagging five rebounds to help give the Elasto Painters some sense of revenge against their last conference’s tormentors.
The Mapua product also flaunted his efficiency on the floor with a 57.1 percent field goal shooting clip, sinking eight of his 14 tries.
It also helped Nocum that he had extra motivation heading into Wednesday’s game in the form of his wife’s birthday.
“I think it’s [I played well] because it’s my wife’s birthday tomorrow. My family also serves as a motivation,” said Nocum.
Guiao doubled down on Nocum’s sentiments the only way he knew how.
“Adrian even did some acrobatic moves out there. I guess when it’s your wife’s birthday, you have to be acrobatic,” said Guiao jokingly.