Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum in action. PBA Images
POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — Adrian Nocum’s go-ahead basket and career-high performance lifted Rain or Shine past Magnolia, 98-97, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Nocum, with all sorts of time as he had 24.5 seconds on the fourth-quarter clock, made the most important conversion of the match, slipping past the defenders by using Luis Villegas’ screen to clear the way and sink the game-winning layup in the middle of the paint.
He also burned down a lot of time, as Magnolia regained possession with only 5.6 ticks left.
READ: PBA: Nocum embracing bigger role as Rain or Shine's floor general
The Hotshots went to reinforcement KJ Buffen to try to snatch the match, but he was hounded by two Rain or Shine players as he drove to the basket, with Nocum securing the final rebound after the Magnolia import’s miss as the buzzer rang.
Nocum finished with his best scoring performance by far, tallying 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, to go with nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Vince Cuajao added 15 points, while import Aaron Fuller had a double-double of 14 markers and 12 rebounds. Villegas had a 12-7 statline as well.
On the other hand, it was Buffen who had a monster showing, putting up 31 points and 17 rebounds, while Zav Lucero had an impressive game as well, having 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Ian Sangalang had 14 points, as Paul Lee added 13 points against his former team.
Rain or Shine improved to a 3-2 win-loss card, while Magnolia dropped its third game in four encounters.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 98 – Nocum 31, Cuajao 15, Fuller 14, Villegas 12, Manaytay 6, Tiongson 6, Caracut 5, Clarito 5, David 3, Asistio 1, Malonzo 0
MAGNOLIA 97 – Buffen 31, Lucero 15, Sangalang 14, Lee 13, Barroca 11, Lastimosa 9, Jopia 4, Dela Rosa 0, Alfaro 0, Verano 0, Andrada 0, Gomez de Liano 0
QUARTERS: 20-29, 56-56, 81-81, 98-97