ADRIAN Nocum came off the bench for the much-needed spark that Rain or Shine needed in hurdling gritty Phoenix Super LPG, 116-99, Friday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Aaron Fuller outdid himself with 28 points on top of 22 rebounds, but it was Nocum scattering 19 of his 21 points in a sizzling second quarter performance that enabled the Elasto Painters to fully shake off a sluggish start and go into the half tied at 55.
With Jhonard Clarito, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac and Caelan Tiongson leading those who joined the fray, Rain or Shine continued pouring on the heat, posting as much as a 116-96 lead before coasting to a 4-0 record in Group B.
The way Phoenix erected as many as two 12-point leads despite playing without an import admittedly put Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao on pins and needles.
"Mahirap talaga kalaban ang team na yan. They're going to try their best, they're going to compensate for the absence of their import," said Guiao.
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"Phoenix is a good team, they have the materials. Nag-worry na ako nu'ng una. If you give them the feeling na they could stay with you without an import, delikadong kalaban iyon," added Guiao.
"At a certain point you have to put some distance between you and them. Mabuti sa fourth quarter nakalayo kami. Pero kung hindi kami nakalayo we will have a long night against Phoenix."
Le'bryan Nash actually arrived Thursday to replace Jay McKinnis, but was found to be 3/8 of an inch over the 6-6 height ceiling for imports, forcing the Fuel Masters to play without a reinforcement until another replacement could be flown in.
But Ricci Rivero and RJ Jazul made sure the handicap did not hamper the Fuel Masters' early charge that had them racing to a 25-13 lead.
Too bad for Phoenix and good thing for Rain or Shine, Nocum was there to go 8-of-9 from the field for the output that is the most by any player since NLEX's Robert Bolick had 20 last May in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
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Nocum also played a crucial role for Rain or Shine after Phoenix drew level at 76-all, finding Mamuyac in the corner for the go-ahead triple before issuing another assist to Fuller that helped give the E-Painters an 84-76 lead going to the final 12 minutes.
Phoenix would come no closer than nine points the rest of the way before officially dropping to a 0-3 record.
Jazul and Jayjay Alejandro's 12 points each were enough to pace the Fuel Masters who next tackle Blackwater on Tuesday. (NC)
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 116 - Fuller 28, Nocum 21, Clarito 15, Caracut 13, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Santillan 6, Datu 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 1, Lemetti 0, Villegas 0.
PHOENIX 99 - Jazul 12, Alejandro 12, Ballungay 11, Rivero 10, Muyang 9, Tio 8, Salado 8, Perkins 8, Verano 7, Tuffin 5, Mocon 5, Daves 4, Garcia 0, Soyud 0, Manganti 0.
QUARTERS: , 19-29, 55-55, 84-76, 116-99
