ADRIAN Nocum led a blistering shooting performance as Rain or Shine defeated Converge, 114-104, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to force a knockout game in their PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series.
Nocum finished with a conference-high and playoff personal best 28 points to spark the Elasto Painters especially in the second half as they extended the best-of-three series to a sudden death on Sunday, 5 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The match-up will be the first of a Game Three doubleheader with Barangay Ginebra and Meralco also figuring in a no-tomorrow clash for a place in the semifinals.
Nocum had 16 points in the fourth quarter where the Elasto Painters turned the tide for good. His three-pointer and a running shot made it a 97-87 lead with 7:10 left.
In contrast to Game One where he fouled out early in the third quarter, Deon Thompson stayed in the match and had 28 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks for the Elasto Painters.
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Rain or Shine did it on both ends with Nocum making four of Rain or Shine’s 12 threes on his way to shooting 11 of 17 from the field. They also limited Converge to 44 percent shooting after going 56 percent in Game One, making the likes of Cheick Diallo, Justine Arana, and Justine Baltazar earn their baskets.
Diallo and Arana had 17 points apiece, while Baltazar was limited to only three points after the three combined for 70 in Game One.
“For one, mas maganda ‘yung depensa namin today,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “The last game we played them, Diallo was about 67 percent, Arana was 92 percent, Balti was 100 percent. We look at those stats and their efficiency around the basket was incredible. That was the first thing we needed to address.”
“I’m sure by Sunday, we need to step up again. Do-or-die for both teams. Isa lang ang sisiguraduhin ko. Pagdating ng Sunday, tapos na ‘to. Hindi ko lang alam kung sino mananalo,” said Guiao in jest.
Jhonard Clarito also had a notable outing with 19 points, while Anton Asistio added 10 points.
Jordan Heading had 29 points, and Alec Stockton had 20 points for Converge, which will now have to book its first trip to the semifinals in franchise history the hard way.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 114 – Thompson 28, Nocum 28, Clarito 19, Asistio 10, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 5, Datu 5, Malonzo 5, Belga 0.
Converge 104 – Heading 29, Stockton 20, Diallo 17, Arana 17, Winston 10, Santos 5, Baltazar 3, Nieto 3, Delos Santos 0, Garcia 0, Racal 0, Andrade 0.
Quarters: 23-29; 51-53; 85-80; 114-104.
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