It may only be a matter of time before Adrian Nocum officially dons the Gilas Pilipinas jersey, just as his fans have been hoping.
With the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas apparently taking notice of the growing clamor on social media, the budding Rain or Shine star has been included in the men’s team’s “long list” for the 20th Asian Games in September.
“Siyempre, masarap sa feeling,” he told Tiebreaker Times Sunday after the Elasto Painters’ 85-83 escape of Meralco at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, which notched their fourth straight win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Elasto Painters lead assistant coach Caloy Garcia was the bearer of good news not only to Nocum but to their newly appointed team captain in Caelan Tiongson. The two have become the latest additions to Gilas’ artillery for the Japan meet.
(C) PBA Images
“Kinausap kami ni Coach Caloy Garcia, kasama kami raw. Parang sinama lang kami sa list, kaming dalawa ni Caelan Tiongson,” he shared.
While nothing is sure yet, just being among those considered for Asiad is already a blessing for Nocum, who’s starting to assert himself as the perennial contenders’ go-to guy following Gian Mamuyac’s departure.
So far in the season-ending conference, the former Mapua Cardinal is putting up per-game averages of 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.
That includes a career-high 31 points in their 98-97 victory over Magnolia just last Friday, where he rolled in the game-winning layup with 5.6 ticks left.
“Sobrang blessed. Sobrang daming magagaling dito sa PBA, and mas talented, mas malaki, alam mo ‘yun? Pero naisama tayo,” he said.
It would mean a lot for the Tondo-native — who recently received high praise from a former Gilas guard in Paul Lee — if he received a chance to fight for a spot and prove his worth for the national team being coached by Tim Cone.
“Alam naman natin na ang daming magagaling dito sa PBA na mas matagal pa sa atin, pero nasama tayo sa list. Malaking bagay ‘yun,” he said.
“At kung mabibigyan naman ng chance, subukan natin. Banat!”
