PAUL Lee knows talent when he sees one.
And he’s quick to acknowledge Adrian Nocum as one heck of a talent.
The veteran guard went over to Nocum shortly after Rain or Shine sealed a 98-97 thriller against Magnolia in Friday’s PBA Governors’ Cup game at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The fast rising 26-year-old Rain or Shine star scored the go-ahead basket in the final 5.6 seconds by barreling his way past against Mark Barroca, Raffy Verano and import Ken Buffen.
His final basket for the game translated to a career-high 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, while adding nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Nocum likewise grabbed the rebound before the final buzzer as Buffen missed a potential game-winning jumper for the Hotshots.
Shortly after, Lee sought out Nocum and whispered something to him.
It was a compliment coming from a former Rain or Shine player after witnessing how Nocum carried the fight for the Elasto Painters.
“Nag-congratulate siya. And sabi niya ang ganda ng ipinapakita ko. Tuluy-tuloy ko lang daw ito,” said Nocum when asked by Spin.ph what the brief talk was all about.
The second round pick of the Elasto Painters out of Mapua said coach Yeng Guiao gave him the liberty to call the final play of the team in the final 14 seconds and Magnolia in the saddle, 97-96.
“Sabi niya (coach Yeng) sa akin ako na ang didiskarte. And nakita ko lang na may chance maka-atake doon sa depensa ng kalaban. And nakuha ko naman yung layup,” he said of the winning play.
His heroics paved the way for Rain or Shine to notch a third straight win following a slow start to improve to 3-2 and take solo second in Group B.
READ: Nocum caps career-high with game winner to lift RoS past Magnolia
Incidentally, Nocum’s career-game spoiled Lee’s best game so far in the season-ending conference.
The 37-year-old lee finished with 13 point on 3-of-7 field goal shooting including 2-of-5 from three-point range, while grabbing three boards and a steal.
He previously averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for the Hotshots, who fell to a 1-3 record.
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