ADRIAN Nocum would rather take the win than his personal numbers.
As it is, the rookie guard had to deal with a 121-117 overtime loss to Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup despite scoring a career-best 29 points at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
Nocum carried the Elasto Painters on his shoulders the entire extra period where he scored all but two of the team's 15 points.
He also added five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and shot 9-of-15 from the floor in Rain or Shine's second loss in the season-ending conference.
"Bale wala naman yun kasi talo kami," said Rain or Shine's second round pick in the last rookie draft.
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More than the scoring, Nocum said he had to be better defensively especially after Bong Quinto repeatedly scored on him in the overtime period, which set the tone for the Bolts to control the extra five-minute mark.
"Marami pa akong dapat i-adjust sa sarili ko kahit na ganoong naka-career high ako," he stressed.
While his career-best may be a new mark for his budding pro career, Nocum knows playing defense is his priority right now.
"Pag pinasok ako, ang mindset ko kailangan maka-depensa muna ako. Yung shooting ko naman, susunod naman yun pag naka-depensa ako," he said.
"Every game, kailangan mag-step up ako sa depensa. Bonus na lang kung makaka-shoot ako nang marami." (RG)
