Adrian Nocum, a guard for Rain or Shine, has secured his first selection to the PBA All-Star game, marking his rapid rise in the league since being drafted in 2023. Coach Yeng Guiao praises his potential, comparing him to past legends and predicting a possible MVP award. The event takes place in Ilocos Sur, highlighting Nocum's contributions to his team's semifinal appearances.
Adrian Nocum's journey in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has accelerated notably. Selected as the 24th overall pick by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2023 draft, the 26-year-old guard from Tondo, Manila, and a product of Mapua, was initially an under-the-radar prospect amid a talented draft class that included Stephen Holt, Christian David, Zavier Lucero, Schonny Winston, and Ricci Rivero.
In college with the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA, Nocum described himself as a role player. However, his performances with the San Juan Knights in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League earned him Rookie of the Year honors, catching the eye of coach Yeng Guiao. Guiao noted Nocum's toughness, natural athleticism, quickness, slashing abilities, and defensive skills, despite early weaknesses in decision-making and outside shooting.
Nocum quickly adapted in the PBA. During the 2024 Philippine Cup, his second conference, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, helping Rain or Shine reach the semifinals for the first time in five years. Over the 2024-25 season, across three conferences, he maintained averages of 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 59 games, becoming the team's highest-scoring local player. The Elasto Painters advanced to the final four in each conference.
His style, featuring relentless drives and aerial plays, draws comparisons to PBA icons Vergel Meneses and Samboy Lim. Guiao, who coached Meneses to MVP in 1995 and Willie Miller to two MVPs, stated, “Very early in his career, he has already shown star potential. I tell him that [he] can be an MVP as long as he improves his outside shooting. And it is not an exaggeration.”
Nocum, part of the North All-Stars captained by Japeth Aguilar and coached by Leo Austria, expressed gratitude: “I never expected that I would reach this point... I’m just really grateful to the Lord. I prayed for this.” He left Mapua early to enter the draft and aims for a championship, as Rain or Shine has not won since 2016. Guiao added, “He will go a long way. This is just his first All-Star appearance; there will be many more.”
