Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is known for instilling confidence in his players and then trusting them—sometimes almost unequivocally. And that dynamic is playing out in the rise of Adrian Nocum, who is arguably having his best start to any conference in his so-far short PBA career. And on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Tondo-born and bred high-flyer made sure to reward Guiao’s trust not only with a career game but also with a game winner.
Nocum put up a career-best 31 points in Rain or Shine’s 98-97 escape against the Magnolia Hotshots and also hit the marginal basket—a kamikaze drive that found the bottom of the net with five ticks remaining.
Guiao Trusts Nocum’s Decision-Making
After the game, Guiao admitted that the final play was, indeed, for Nocum, with the decision left entirely up to him on what to do.
“Nagtitiwala naman kami du’n sa diskarte niya. So, kung mai-dra-drive niya, mayroon siyang tira, desisyon niya iyon,” Guiao told reporters after the game. “Kung nag-collapse iyon at hirap siya, naka-spread out naman ‘yung mga pwedeng tumira din. Actually, iyon nga, nag-i-improve ‘yung decision-making niya, mas consistent siya ngayon.”
The numbers bear out Guiao’s assessment of his prized pupil. Nocum, through five games for Rain or Shine, is averaging 20.0 a game on top of 4.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists. The scoring isn’t at all surprising, as the soon-to-be 27-year-old guard has been trending up in that department. But the increase in assists is notable, as it shows Nocum’s improving playmaking and expanding game.
Rain or Shine Looks to Build More Momentum
Nocum and the rest of Rain or Shine won’t have much time to rest, as they will be back in action on Sunday—this time taking on the Meralco Bolts. It will be another acid test for the suddenly red-hot Elasto Painters and for Nocum, in particular, as the Bolts are among the best defensive teams in the PBA.
Rest assured, though, that Guiao will have absolute trust in his emerging star.
