ADRIAN Nocum appreciated the words of wisdom shared to him by his former coach and a fellow Mapua great shortly after Rain or Shine extended its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals duel with NLEX to a sudden-death game.
Nocum spent a few minutes talking, listening, and absorbing what PBA legend Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co told him just moments into the Elasto Painters’ 92-89 win over the Road Warriors Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
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The 25-year-old sophomore had a great game with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals to share scoring honor with Jhonard Clarito in the comeback win.
But Co, the 1979 MVP and first player to score 5,000 and 10,000 points in PBA history, observed some kinks in the game of Nocum which he thought needed adjustments on the part of his one-time player.
“Sinabihan niya lang ako sa decision-making ko based dun sa mga nakita niya kanina,” Nocum shared to Spin.ph on what the 73-year-old Crispa icon told him after the game.
“May mga panira na ako sa labas na gini-give up ko, or yung imbes na i-drive ko, tinitira ko sa labas. Yung mga ganun ba.”
Although it was Randy Alcantara who coached Nocum during his later years with the Cardinals, the Tondo-native also got to play under Co while he was still with Mapua’s team B.
“Inabutan ko pa siya sa Mapua. Dalawang taon ako nag-team B. 2017 yun, nandun pa siya (Co) nun,” Nocum recalled.
While the two got to work together for just a brief time, those moments left a lasting memory for Nocum.
After all, it’s not every day a budding college player get to be trained by a basketball legend.
“Tinuturuan niya (Co) talaga ako lalo na sa jump shot ko,” said Nocum of Co, who possessed one of the deadliest jumpers in PBA annals.
The Rain or Shine guard even recalled being reprimanded once by Co for not laying the ball to the basket the proper way.
“Hindi ko alam kung natatandaan pa ito ni coach, kasi noon ang hilig kong mag layup ng dalawang kamay. Ayaw niya yun, gusto niya isang kamay lang,” added Nocum.
Co was a Mapua superstar during his stint as a Cardinal in the 70s and was named NCAA MVP in his playing years.
The Hall of Famer and 25 PBA Greatest Player was with son Andre when they chatted with Nocum as the three were also briefly reunited on this wonderful night for the Rain or Shine franchise.
“Si coach Andre, strength and conditioning coach din namin siya sa Mapua. Kaya magka-kilala rin kami,” he said, adding he was surprised that both father and son were at the gallery and watching him play.
“Kaya kahit papaano natutukan din ako ni coach Atoy kahit sandali lang,” said Nocum.
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