Adrian Nocum, Keith Datu power Rain or Shine vs Blackwater

Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Adrian Nocum during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES

Adrian Nocum and Keith Datu provided the lift especially on offense as Rain or Shine bounced back in the PBA Philippine Cup by beating Blackwater, 120-106, on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Nocum scored eight of his 23 points to back up Datu’s career-high 27 to power the Elasto Painters to their third win in five matches and regaining their winning form after last week’s loss to the Converge FiberXers.

READ: PBA: Adrian Nocum has tools to be MVP, says Yeng Guiao

Rain or Shine also got a significant boost with the returns of Caelan Tiongson and Beau Belga.

Tiongson had 14 points and four rebounds after sitting out the last two outings due to back spasms even as Belga played only five minutes in his maiden appearance this conference after dealing with vertigo.

The Elasto Painters also overcame the Bossing’s 15 three-pointers that allowed the latter to lead for a significant portion of the contest.

Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum and coach Yeng Guiao after the W vs. Blackwater. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/Wm3hOAccwt

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 7, 2025

But Rain or Shine’s defense shackled Blackwater in the final quarter, with Nocum making key baskets while a pair of three-point plays from Santi Santillan and Tiongson triggered a 113-104 lead with barely three minutes remaining.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine squad has bright future ahead, says import

Datu backed up his expected scoring surge with eight rebounds and three assists in his second game back from a calf injury.

Christian David scored 28 points with eight rebounds while Sedrick Barefield had 23 points but the Bossing fell to 1-4.

Rain or Shine’s win came before going on an 11-day break.  Its next match is gainst Magnolia on May 18 at Ynares Center II in Montalban, Rizal.

Blackwater’s next game is May 21 against Meralco at Ynares Center in Antipolo.