Yeng Guiao is letting his youngsters play big minutes.
Rookie Keith Datu is doing great guns for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters—and making a solid case to be the heir apparent to Beau Belga as the team’s next anchor down low.
But Datu is not the only rookie playing well for the Elasto Painters. Doing just as well has been guard-forward Adrian Nocum, who announced his arrival in the league in style.
The former Mapua Cardinal made his PBA debut in Rain or Shine’s fifth game of the conference against the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, and he showed he belonged right away. The rookie dropped 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist and nearly led the Elasto Painters to their first win in the tournament. He followed that up with a 14-point, 3-rebound outing against the Blackwater Bossing, which turned out to be the team’s breakthrough win.
Nocum has since slowed down somewhat, registering just four points in the Elasto Painters’ last outing—a win over the erstwhile unbeaten Magnolia Hotshots. Despite the rather quiet performance, it appears the former MPBL stalwart has found a fan in superstar guard and Magnolia main man Paul Lee.
In fact, Lee posted on his Instagram Story a picture of himself and Nocum, along with a caption that should fire up the young baller.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang @adriannocum10,” Lee wrote. “Bright future ahead of you. Nasa tamang pwesto ka na, ‘wag mo sayangin ‘yan.
While it is unclear what Lee meant by “nasa tamang pwesto ka na,” he is presumably talking about Nocum’s situation at Rain or Shine with Yeng Guiao. The fiery mentor, incidentally, is known for letting his rookies play—and that is exactly what he has been doing with Nocum.
Of course, it is entirely up to Nocum to make the most out of his opportunities at Rain or Shine. And if he does, that bright future may come sooner rather than later.