Nocum, Thompson connive as ROS edges Converge for third straight semis
At A Glance
- Adrian Nocum and Deon Thompson provided the tip to the spear of Rain or Shine as they barged into a third straight semifinals appearance after a 112-103 victory over Converge in the do-or-die Game 3 in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals, Sunday, Feb. 9.
Adrian Nocum and Deon Thompson provided the tip to the spear of Rain or Shine as they barged into a third straight semifinals appearance after a 112-103 victory over Converge in the do-or-die Game 3 in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, Sunday, Feb. 9.

Nocum, just like in the previous game, impressed the crowd inside the Ynares Center in Antipolo with his daredevil drives, presiding over a 14-3 run that allowed the Elasto Painters to create a much-needed separation.
Thompson also saved his best game so far, just exactly when ROS’ tournament lives were on the line, finishing with a conference-best 34 points to go with 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
Nocum, on the other hand, fired 24 points – 16 of which in the last two quarters including a booming triple late in the third that not only broke a 77-77 deadlock but also triggered the massive run that put Rain or Shine on a 91-80 advantage early in the payoff period.
Andrei Caracut also had 14 while Jhonard Clarito added 11 for the Elasto Painters who are now looking like a perennial Final Four contender after another return trip to the semis.
Converge did manage to keep in step, coming within two possessions – the last at 103-109 before a Caelan Tiongson hook shot shut the door on FiberXers’ hopes of comeback.
It also didn’t help that import Cheick Diallo had to deal with foul trouble in the second half as ROS limited him to just 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Alec Stockton tried to pick up the slack with a playoff career-best 26 points to go with six assists while Justine Baltazar added 16 in a losing effort for Converge.
The first semifinals appearance for the franchise of the FiberXers also remained elusive after ending up squandering a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three affair