PBA: Adrian Nocum has tools to be MVP, says Yeng Guiao

Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao knows good talent when he sees one, and that’s exactly what he sees in Elasto Painters young gun Adrian Nocum.

Nocum on Friday impressed Guiao like he usually does but this time in a slightly bigger scale.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum owes stellar game to teammates

The second-year guard turned in a stellar outing to keep Rain or Shine’s title hopes alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, forcing Converge to a do-or-die match for a semis ticket.

So when Guiao was asked about his thoughts on the rising star, he even went as far as to say that Nocum has the potential to be a future MVP of the league. That is, if he can complete his arsenal.

“Actually, I already told him before that he has a talent in slashing the basket and he has the speed but he’s inconsistent with his outside shot,” said Guiao in Filipino after their 114-104 win over the FiberXers.

READ: Now in PBA, Adrian Nocum finally gets one back vs NCAA rivals

“I said that if he could develop his outside shot, with his defense and athleticism, he might be an MVP soon. Maybe that’s his ambition now… I was just joking with him before but I think he believed,” added the top coach in jest.

Nocum was everywhere on the court and finished with 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals including multiple acrobatic moves in the basket.

It seemed like the Mapua product kept Guiao’s advice to mind, as he waxed hot from the field with a 64.7 percent shooting clip built on four buckets from the three-point area.

Nocum aims to bolster his MVP stock when he tries to push Rain or Shine to the semifinals on Sunday in Game 3 of the quarters against COnverge at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.