Nocum waxes hot, tows Rain or Shine past Converge to force QF rubber match

Adrian Nocum waxed hot late to tow Rain or Shine past Converge, 114-104, Friday in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Nocum drilled four triples, three of which were in the fourth period, en route to a 28-point outing.

Rain or Shine was leading 89-87 before Anton Asistio completed a three-point play to give the Elasto Painters enough breathing room with around nine minutes remaining. Nocum then connected from the three-point arc, which he followed with a layup to extend Rain or Shine's lead to 10. 

Converge inched closer, 102-95, with 5:24 left before Nocum made a basket, followed by another triple to give Rain or Shine a 12-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. After Jordan Heading's triple, Nocum answered with another trey. Alec Stockton then connected from the three-point arc, but Jhonard Clarito had another trey, while Nocum's split sealed the victory for Rain or Shine.

Aside from Nocum, import Deon Thompson also had 28 points on top of 18 points and seven assists, while Clarito had 19 points. 

Jordan Heading had 29 points, while Stockton had 20 points for the FiberXers. Import Cheik Diallo had 17 points, 15 rebounds, and a block, while Justin Arana had 17 points and eight rebounds.

Converge took Game 1 of the best-of-three series, 130-118, last Wednesday. Game 3 of the series will be played on Sunday.

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, 70-68, 114-104.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News