THERE was no doubt in anyone’s mind at Rain or Shine that Adrian Nocum would take the last shot against Magnolia in the final moments of the game on Friday night.
Nocum sliced to the basket and scored the lay-up with 5.6 seconds left, the eventual game-winning shot in Rain or Shine’s 98-97 win over Magnolia in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao said that with the maturity that Nocum has been showing, it was just right that he had the ball in the final seconds.
READ: Nocum caps career-high with game winner to lift RoS past Magnolia
“Nagtitiwala naman kami sa diskarte niya,” said Guiao. “Kung maida-drive niya, meron siyang tira, desisyon niya ‘yun. Pero kung nag-collapse ‘yun at hirap siya, naka-spread out naman ‘yung puwedeng timira din.”
Nocum scored a career-high 31 points on Friday against Magnolia, a game after he dished out 10 assists against Barangay Ginebra last Sunday, also a new personal best in his PBA stint.
The 10 assists by the Rain or Shine guard led to him being named as the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week last week.
“Sabi ko nga, nag-iimprove ‘yung decision-making niya, mas consistent siya ngayon,” Guiao said.
Nocum confirmed that Guiao entrusted him with the final possession, and it would be up to him on whether he would take a shot or pass the ball to an open teammate.
“Nung nag-timeout si coach, sabi niya sa akin, kumbaga ako na ang didiskarte. Nakita ko lang na may chance na maka-atake sa depensa ng kalaban kaya nakuha ko ‘yung lay-up,” Nocum said.
With the way his top point guard is playing, Guiao joked that it could be best for Rain or Shine if Nocum plays limited minutes after Friday’s contest.
“Baka maya-maya, humingi na ng raise sa sweldo ‘to. Delikado eh. Kailangang bangkuin muna uli para sumama ang laro ng konti,” Guiao said in jest.
“Naging Player of the Week lang, ganito na, medyo kinakabahan na kami dito,” Guiao said.
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