Nocum nails game-winning layup as Painters roar to third straight win

Adrian Nocum’s heroics that extended Rain or Shine’s winning streak following a 0-2 start in the PBA Governors’ Cup have made coach Yeng Guiao “worried.”

“He might ask for an increase in his salary so we have to bench him (moving forward),” Guiao said, drawing laughter from those inside the press room after Nocum’s layup gave the Elasto Painters a 98-97 win over the Magnolia Hotshots at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday night.

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Nocum’s layup in traffic with five seconds left gave Rain or Shine the lead while also setting a career-high with 31 points as he played the role of take-charge guy after being the facilitator the last time.

Against Barangay Ginebra in a 110-99 win last Sunday, Nocum dished out 10 assists—also a personal-best.

His recent play has been the reason why Rain or Shine is on a tear after opening up with losses to Blackwater and Meralco, and also reeling from the loss of Gian Mamuyac, who was traded to Phoenix.

Mamuyac’s departure came after the then-team captain and Rain or Shine couldn’t come to terms on a new deal, something Guiao took into play after Nocum’s performance.

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“He’s also the Player of the Week, so we’re quite nervous,” Guiao also said, drawing more laughter.

When pressed if he’ll ask for an increase, Nocum could only smile while Guiao butted in and told the media: “Pinaalala niyo pa (you even reminded him of it).”

The good news for Rain or Shine, however, is that Nocum had already signed a three-year extension last year, so the team won’t be having to deal with that problem until the end of the 2028 season.

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What Nocum answered was how he came away with the winning basket that came after Magnolia got the lead at 96-95 on a three-point play from Ian Sangalang with time down to 24 seconds.

“Sinabi sa akin ni Coach Yeng na ‘ikaw na ang dumiskarte (Coach just told me to do what I can)’,” Nocum said. “I saw that there was a chance to attack against their defense and I was able to get the layup.”

Rain or Shine moved up to second in the standings of Group B, within striking distance of Phoenix, which has a 4-1 win-loss slate after the first round.

The Elasto Painters hope to keep up with their streak on Sunday when they face the Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Meralco was playing Barangay Ginebra at press time.

Rain or Shine is banking not just on Nocum, but players like rookie Deo Cuajao and Luis Villegas, who had 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Magnolia fell to 1-3 as it makes a quick turnaround on Sunday against Ginebra at the Big Dome.

Meanwhile, NLEx seeks to extend its unbeaten run in Group A to five against Converge in Saturday’s 5:15 p.m. opener at the same venue. The Road Warriors are coming off a 110-96 rout of the San Miguel Beermen while the FiberXers lost a heartbreaker, 110-107, to TNT.

San Miguel and TNT play the nightcap at 7:30 p.m. in a crucial affair for both squads.