Thompson, Nocum spark Rain or Shine breakaway vs. Converge to book semis rematch with TNT

Deon Thompson and Adrian Nocum starred in the fourth quarter as Rain or Shine pulled away late against Converge, 112-103, to march on to the semifinals of PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo. 

The Elasto Painters overcame the series deficit when they fell to the FiberXers in Game 1 as they now arranged a semifinals rematch against TNT. 

Thompson, who sat early in Game 1 due to six fouls, top-scored with 34 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals while Nocum posted 25 markers, three boards, and three dimes off the bench to lead the onslaught. 

“We're very happy. This is what we've been trying to achieve. The past two conferences we made the semifinals and it would be a pity if we would not make the semifinals this conference,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. 

“It's also the validation of the hardowrk the guys put in the and the camaraderie that we have. It's also a testimony of the progress of the team in general.”

Thompson took advantage of his counterpart Cheick Diallo being saddled with five fouls with still 5:45 to go in the third as the import and Nocum fueled a 19-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters as they zoomed to a 94-82 lead. 

During that stretch as well, Rain or Shine got a much-needed push from veteran Beau Belga, who hit two triples to bring his side to an 86-80 cushion. 

Thompson then just turned the Ynares Center into his personal playground, completing back-to-back jumpers that made it a 102-93 lead. 

Converge tried to fight back with Alec Stockton and Justin Arana cutting the deficit to just five with 3:46 left, 102-97. 

But Nocum took the fight out of Converge, completing a three-point play before Andrei Caracut buried a tough floater over Jordan Heading to turn it into a 109-101 advantage in the dying moment.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 112 – Thompson 34, Nocum 25, Caracut 14, Clarito 11, Asistio 7, Belga 6, Datu 5, Tiongson 5, Santillan 4, Malonzo 1.

Converge 103 – Stockton 26, Diallo 19, Baltazar 16, Arana 15, Winston 14, Racal 7, Heading 3, Andrade 3, Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0, Javillonar 0.

Quarters: 22-21, 50-45, 80-77, 112-103.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News