Nocum relishes PBA reunion with former foes, teammate in NCAA

Now on a bigger stage, Adrian Nocum sees familiar faces he played with and against in the collegiate ranks. 

Familiarity may have been the key as he got one over his previous tormentors in the NCAA, helping Rain or Shine overcome Terrafirma with a 124-112 victory during their duel on Sunday in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup. 

While it allowed the Elasto Painters to rack up their fifth win in a row, Nocum admitted it was somehow a personal achievement for him. 

The Dyip are currently bannered by a young core led by the likes of Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso, and Tommy Olivario, all of whom were part of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran squad that defeated Nocum's Mapua University in the finals round of NCAA Season 97 back in 2022. 

Nocum relished securing a payback against the former Knights after dropping 21 points together with seven rebounds, two assists, and one block. 

"Natutuwa lang ako kasi nu’ng nasa NC[AA] kami, talo kami lagi diyan kina Paraiso, so ngayon masaya na nakakabawi na sa kanila," Nocum said in the post-game interview. 

Nocum also liked how both Rain or Shine and Terrafirma embrace their youthfulness. 

Currently, the Elasto Painters are banking on the young guns like Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Anton Asistio, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, and the injured Gian Mamuyac. Like them, the Dyip are also flowing with youthful talents in Sangalang, Paraiso, Aljun Melecio, rookie Mark Nonoy, and another former Mapua product in Paolo Hernandez. 

"Sa akin, sa matchup din eh. Maganda rin ‘yung matchup namin, bata din ‘yung Terrafirma, si Paraiso, si Mark Nonoy, si Paolo na teammate ko sa Mapua," Nocum added.

"Nag-stick lang ako sa game plan ni coach Yeng kaya kahit papaano nakatulong ako sa team."

Rain or Shine, though, is hoping they would not lose the momentum even after the holiday break with head coach Yeng Guiao asking his players to remain sharp during the lengthy breather. 

"Na-accomplish naman namin ‘yung objective namin. It’s really a nice feeling to go into vacation or into the Christmas break with four straight wins," the veteran tactician added.

"But of course, there’s a new challenge facing us in January. New Year, new challenge sa amin. Seven games in January so ‘yun naman ‘yung kailangan naming isipin ngayon plus we're not playing until January 8 so my worry really is baka mawala ‘yung sharpness."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News