Adrian Nocum finished with a measly eight points against TNT, then quickly put it behind him with a career-high 30 points in Rain or Shine’s win against Phoenix.
After an atrocious night against TNT, Adrian Nocum had only one thing in mind: bounce back.
Nocum did just that and in an explosive fashion as Rain or Shine clipped Phoenix, 109-99, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Wednesday, May 28.
Struggling with a measly eight points on 3-of-12 shooting against the Tropang 5G the last time out, the high-flying guard submitted a career-high 30 points versus the Fuel Masters, including nine in the fourth period to help his squad pull away.
He also had five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block as the Elasto Painters spiked their win-loss record to 5-3.
“Galing kami sa talo tapos sobrang sama ng nilaro ko noong last game. So wala akong ibang inisip kung hindi ang makabawi. 'Yon lang,” said Nocum.
After Phoenix got to as close as five, 93-98, Nocum instigated a quick 6-0 run to push RoS' lead back to double digits, 104-93.
The Elasto Painters then went on cruise control, with Jhonard Clarito nailing the right corner triple that proved to be the dagger with only 1:48 left to play.
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Clarito also impressed with a double-double effort of 20 points, built on a perfect 4-for-4 from the three-point area, and 10 rebounds. He also had two steals.
Caelan Tiongson had 14 markers, eight boards, four assists and a block, while Santi Santillan fired three treys for 12 markers.
“Maganda ang three-point shooting namin. We’re aggressive,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’re able to early on, especially in the first half, defend their key players: si (Jason) Perkins at si (Kai) Ballungay. That’s where were able to take control of the game. Sinustain na lang namin.”
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With Perkins (10 points on 4-for-14 field goal shooting) and Ballungay's (eight points on 4-of-11 shooting) struggling, Ken Tuffin paced the beleaguered Fuel Masters with 15 points and six rebounds.
Raffy Verano and Tyler Tio added 14 points each for Phoenix, which reeled to a third straight loss for a 2-6 record.
Rain or Shine vs Phoenix scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 109 – Nocum 30, Clarito 20, Tiongson 14, Santillan 12, Caracut 8, Mamuyac 6, Asistio 5, Lemetti 4, Norwood 3, Ildefonso 3, Malonzo 2, Datu 2.
PHOENIX 99 – Tuffin 15, Verano 14, Tio 14, Jazul 11, Perkins 10, Garcia 8, Ballungay 8, Camacho 6, Daves 5, Manganti 3, Cullar 3, Soyud 2, Alejandro 0, Ular 0.
Quarterscores: 30-25, 57-43, 90-75, 109-99.