IN the eyes of Juan Gomez De Liano, Adrian Nocum has come a long, long way in his basketball career.
The Converge rookie guard was left amazed with the way Nocum played and almost carried Rain or Shine to another comeback win — something the FiberXers foiled this time by making several crucial plays down the stretch to take a 130-125 win in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Gomez De Liano was flabbergasted when informed his former teammate in the PBA D-League dished off a career-high 18 assists in the loss that tied the best-of-five series at one-game apiece.
READ: Converge hangs tough this time to tie series vs. Rain or Shine
Nocum also had 22 points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range aside from setting up the plays for the Elasto Painters.
“He’s a tough competitor. Throughout the years I had seen his growth. We were teammates during my stint in the PBA D-League with Marinerong Pilipino. He was more like an off-guard and now he’s transitioning into like a point guard,” recalled Gomez-De Liano.
“Now he’s also part of the national team. Just to see his growth and competitiveness, I am happy for the kid.”
Gomez-De Liano and Nocum were with Marinerong Pilipino during the 2022 D-League Aspirants Cup where the Converge guard emerged as the tournament MVP.
But Marinerong Pilipino was swept by EcoOil-La Salle in the finals, 2-0 behind the core of the Green Archers led by Mike Philips and Schonny Winston.
Now Gomez-De Liano and Nocum are on the opposite side of the fence.
The Season 50 no. 2 overall pick also had posted impressive numbers for Converge in the win, finishing with 20 points including 4-of-5 from the three-point region, while adding seven rebounds and eight assists as he more than held his own against Nocum.
He expects the intensity of their matchup to perk up as the series wears on.
“Para sa akin, it’s going to be an exciting matchup,” said Gomez-De Liano. “Hopefully through the years it’s going to be a tough, good matchup.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
