Adrian Nocum saw his record night go down the drain after Rain or Shine lost to Converge in Game 2 of their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series Friday, but nonetheless gained the respect of those from the other side.
“He’s a tough competitor,” offered Juan Gomez de Liano of his counterpart moments after their pulsating 130-125 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Rookie of the Year favorite himself finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and the victory in the bag, but the Elasto Painters’ emerging go-to guy still made headlines for resetting the franchise record for assists.
Nocum delivered 22 points and a whopping 18 dimes, which is the most in a game since Mike Cortez also tallied a career-high 18 assists, albeit in a losing effort as Air21 bowed to TNT, 105-100, last December 13, 2012.
Gomez de Liano, of course, gave his flowers to the former Mapua Cardinal, and that comes from a place of familiarity as well, having witnessed one another put in the work as young bucks in the developmental ranks four years ago.
Unbeknownst to some, both guards actually became teammates with Marinerong Pilipino in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
The lefty gunner, at the time, returned to the Skippers with more experience, having suited up for Gilas Pilipinas and in the B.League’s second division in Japan after serving as an Asian reinforcement of the Earthfriends Tokyo Z.
On the other hand, the proud son of Tondo had a taste of pro hoops as well after playing for San Juan in the MPBL the year prior, eventually going full time with the Knights in 2023 as he decided to forgo his remaining years with Mapua.
With a team that featured other core members of Mapua plus more seasoned vets such as Jollo Go, ‘Marinero’ went all the way to the Finals, but got beaten by an EcoOil-De La Salle University side bannered by Kevin Quiambao.
Nonetheless, it was a solid run specifically for Gomez de Liano, who earned Conference Most Valuable Player honors—indeed a confidence booster for the UP great as he’d go on to sign with the BC Wolves in Lithuania not long after.
But he never forgot all about Nocum; he can’t help but marvel at how his ex-running mate has morphed into one of the PBA’s top players today.
(C) PBA Images
“Throughout the years, I’ve seen his growth,” Gomez De Liano reflected.
“We were teammates during my stint in the PBA D-League, with Marinerong Pilipino.
“He was more like an off-guard. But now, he’s transitioning into, like, a point guard. And he’s also part of the national team,” added the 26-year-old Fil-Spaniard, as ‘Nocs’ got called up for the Gilas team that played in the recent Asian Games
The feeling is actually mutual, with Nocum also impressed with how Gomez de Liano upped the ante even when he was already a star in his own right during the time they shared the backcourt together with Marinerong Pilipino.
(C) PBA Images
“Mas ano na si Juan ngayon eh… Nung naging teammate ko siya sa Marinero, magaling naman na siya nun. Pero ngayon, mas grabe ‘yung improvement niya,” said the 2024 PBA All-Rookie Team member, visibly in awe.
With the kind of respect and admiration they have for one another, Gomez de Liano believes that it’s going to be a good matchup between him and Nocum—not just in this ongoing playoff series but for many seasons to come.
“Just to see his growth and his competitiveness within him, very happy for the kid. He loves to stay in the gym, sobrang sipag din niya,” he said.
“Para sa akin, it’s gonna be an exciting match-up,” the 2026 second overall pick added.
“Throughout the years, he’s gonna be a tough, good matchup.”
