Rain or Shine Elastopainers’ Adrian Nocum during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix Fuel Masters. –PBA IMAGES

Adrian Nocum scored a career-high 30 points as Rain or Shine closed in on a quarterfinals berth with a 109-99 win over Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Nocum went 10-of-20 from the field while adding five rebounds as the Elasto Painters bounced back from last week’s loss to the TNT Tropang 5G where the sophomore struggled and even tweaked his ankle.

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

Rain or Shine improved to 5-3 for fifth spot and can progress into the top eight with a victory the following Wednesday against lowly Terrafirma at the same venue.

Jhonard Clarito added 20 points while Caelan Tiongson returned from an injury to produce 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Elasto Painters.

They led for the majority of the contest, though their big lead was threatened in the second half when the Fuel Masters cut the gap to single digits.

But Phoenix couldn’t sustain its momentum and was eventually handed a third straight defeat to fall 2-6.

Phoenix’s loss allowed NLEX, San Miguel Beer and Converge, all with six victories each, to secure spots in the quarterfinals.

Kenneth Tuffin finished with 15 points and six rebounds for the Fuel Masters before fouling out.

Next up for Phoenix is on Sunday against NLEX at Smart Araneta Coliseum.