FOR someone who played alongside the late great Avelino ‘Samboy’ Lim for a long time, one would assume high-flying sophomore Adrian Nocum reminds coach Jong Uichico a lot.
In a way, yes.
But the NLEX mentor said there’s another player which he thought suits Nocum better.
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“Yes actually, Samboy. Pero mas naa-alala ko si Adrian (Nocum) kay PJ Simon,” Uichico disclosed when SPIN.ph asked him about the comparison in terms of on-court plays and moves between Nocum, the high-flying guard of Rain or Shine, and Lim, one of the PBA 50 Greatest Players.
“Maliit pero ang hirap pigilin. Yung instant points agad.”
Simon won eight championships with the Purefoods franchise where he spent his entire pro career from 2004-2020 as the team's talented sixth man. He was part of the team's 2014 grand slam feat while forming San Mig Coffee's own version of the Big Three.
Fast forward to 2025.
One of the fast rising stars in the PBA today, Nocum, a proud product of Mapua, has been turn heads since he stormed to the league last year as a second round pick of Rain or Shine (no. 24 overall) during the Season 48 draft.
The 25-year-old Tondo-born guard easily has become an early fan favorite owing to his high-octane plays and acrobatic acts to the basket, qualities that bring back memories of how the 61-year-old Lim, known as the Skywalker, did his thing on the court during his playing years with Letran, the national team, and with the San Miguel Beermen.
Uichico, who previously worked with Lim at Northern Consolidated national team and later, with San Miguel, is certainly impressed with the talent of Nocum.
“Mahirap talaga siyang pigilan, mabilis at ang daming galaw,” was how he described the former MPBL Rookie of the Year.
But he sees more of a PJ Simon in Nocum in terms of how both players impact the game.
“Ang difference lang ni Adrian and ni PJ is off the bench si PJ. Pero i-score ng 10 points right away. Parang ganun ang tingin ko kay Adrian,” said Uichico.
“And mas may penetration lang talaga si Adrian. Kasi si PJ, puro jump shot.”
On that note, Uichico would say Nocum has a playing resemblance with Samboy.
“Of course, it also reminds me of (Samboy), may similarity sila,” added the NLEX coach. “Pero siyempre iba si Samboy.”
Uichico and the Road Warriors were able to hold Nocum to just 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting in a 109-95 win in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
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