Adrian Nocum knew that defense is the key in order for Mapua University to be back to its old form.
And that is what they did in their 73-65 win against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday.
“Unang una tinanong kami ni coach [Randy Alcantara] kung pano tayo mananalo. So ‘yun kailangan namin umpisahan namin sa magandang depensa – naka-execute naman kami ng magandang depensa,” said Nocum. “Sa first quarter medyo mataas ‘yung binigay namin score sa kanila, pero nahabol naman namin.
“So sa depensa talaga kami nag-focus, kumbaga ‘yung shu-shoot namin magii-start sa depensa eh, so ‘yun ‘yung nangyari.”
The Cardinals’ defense was seen on full display, especially in crunch time when Paolo Hernandez was able to get a crucial steal from a cutting Jielo Razon.
And thanks to a successful box out, Adrian Nocum was able to get the offensive board in the final 14-seconds of the game after splitting his free throws to seal the game.
“Talagang kung sino ‘yung mas gusto eh. So nakita namin sa mga big namin talagang gusto nila talaga manalo. Unimpisahan nila sa rebounds, sa depensa, dun talaga nag ii-start lahat eh,” said Nocum ,who led his team in defenseive rebounds with seven together with nine points and a game-high plus-16.
Now that they are starting to finally get their groove, Nocum knew what he had to do in order for them to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“Sa akin basta ang iniisip ko lang talaga kung ano ‘yung maitutulong ko sa team eh. Unang-una sa depensa talaga. Kung ano ‘yung in-assign sa amin ni coach na de-depensa kami; ‘yun talaga ‘yung de-depensa ako,” said the 6-foot guard.
“Kumbaga may kanya-kanya kaming role sa team, so ‘yung role ko sa team hangga’t ‘yun talaga ‘yung role ko, so bonus na lang ako ‘yung maka-shoot ako. Defense, rebounds, hustle sa depensa, sa rebound ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung [ma-contribute] ko sa team.”
