Rain or Shine escaped with another victory on Sunday, but for a few anxious moments, the result became secondary to the condition of one of its hottest players.
Adrian Nocum sent a scare through the Elasto Painters after collapsing to the floor following a violent knee-to-knee collision with Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge midway through the third quarter of their 85-83 triumph at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
As Nocum remained on the hardwood clutching his leg, concerns immediately grew that Rain or Shine could lose one of its biggest offensive weapons just as the team has found its rhythm in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Fortunately for the Elasto Painters, the injury turned out to be less serious than initially feared.
“Talagang solid talaga, eh. Yung tuhod niya tumama dito sa hita ko. Uh, sobrang sakit! Ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yung tama,” Nocum told reporters after their victory.
The collision happened with 4:06 left in the third period while Rain or Shine held a slim 66-63 advantage.
Driving aggressively toward the basket, Nocum released the ball before his knee crashed into Hodge’s, sending both players sprawling to the floor in visible pain. Officials later reviewed the sequence and assessed Hodge an unsportsmanlike foul.
When asked whether he believed the contact was intentional, Nocum stopped short of making an accusation but acknowledged Hodge’s physical reputation.
“Hindi ko alam. Pero siyempre knowing Cliff Hodge. Kilala naman natin si Cliff Hodge. So, kasama naman ‘yun,” the Rain or Shine guard said.
More than the pain itself, it was the uncertainty that worried Nocum.
Unable to immediately get back on his feet, the 26-year-old admitted his first thoughts were about whether he had suffered a major injury.
“Oo, kinabahan ako sobra. Kasi talagang nung pagtama niya sa akin, talagang ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yung sakit eh. Alam mo ‘yun, hindi ko siya magalaw. Kasi pagtayo ko, nailakad ko naman. Kaya, sabi ko, okay naman,” Nocum explained.
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Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Adrian Nocum was down on the floor after a knee collision with Meralco Bolts forward Clifford Hodge.
Video courtesy of TV5/One Sports/Cignal pic.twitter.com/Bw1IebzMLp
— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) August 2, 2026
Instead of heading to the locker room for good, Nocum returned to the game and finished with six points and eight assists in more than 30 minutes, choosing to contribute as a facilitator after struggling to find his scoring touch.
“Hindi naman [naapektuhan], medyo maalat lang talaga. Kaya bumawi na lang ako sa ibang bagay na pwedeng maitulong sa team,” he said.
His ability to finish the contest also eased concerns that the injury could sideline him moving forward.
Although soreness remains a possibility once the adrenaline wears off, Nocum said there are currently no plans for further medical examinations.
“Uminom kasi ako ng gamot, eh. Siguro, medyo ano pa, okay pa. Problema ko na ito, bukas pagising ko. Baka masakit ito pag bukas o maga,” he shared.
“Wala naman [MRI]. Kasi nailaro ko pa. Mukhang okay naman siya. Talagang solid lang talaga ‘yung pagka-tama niya. Talagang ramdam na ramdam ko. Pero, goods naman,” Nocum said.
The encouraging update comes at an important time for Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters have won four straight games to climb into contention in Group B, with Nocum playing arguably the best basketball of his PBA career following Gian Mamuyac’s departure.
Rain or Shine will now hope its rising star wakes up feeling just as confident as he sounded after the game when the team resumes its campaign against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday.
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