Adrian Nocum has answered the call the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters needed him to answer.
The Elasto Painters guard earned the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period July 21–26, delivering back-to-back strong performances that helped lift Rain or Shine out of a flat start to the PBA Governors’ Cup and into a share of second place in Group B.
Nocum averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists over the two-game stretch that forms the basis of his award—numbers that reflect a player growing into an expanded role following the trade of Gian Mamuyac to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Nocum Comes Up Huge Against Ginebra
Nocum’s finest individual moment came in a 110-99 win against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, where he registered a career-high 10 assists to go with 13 points. Before that, in Rain or Shine’s first game against Mamuyac’s new team, Nocum starred with 18 points and 8 assists to stake the Elasto Painters to a 105-98 victory.
Coach Yeng Guiao has been deliberately increasing Nocum’s minutes at the point guard position—and the decision is paying off.
“We actually, on purpose, try him a lot more minutes at the point,” Guiao said. “His decision-making is getting better, more matured, and he is also, partly, nagpapakita din siya ng leadership.”
That leadership has translated directly into results. Rain or Shine levelled its record to 2-2 with the recent wins, moving into a share of second place in Group B alongside the Blackwater Bossing and Meralco Bolts.
Nocum edged out Rain or Shine teammate Caelan Tiongson, NLEX Road Warriors guard Schonny Winston, and Terrafirma Dyip point guard Juami Tiongson for the weekly citation given by reporters covering the PBA beat.
