PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
Rookie Cliff Hodge showed he’s more than just an energy guy as he led the Bolts with a double-double performance and steered his squad to a 93-86 triumph over the Alaska Aces in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
Hodge finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, doing practically everything on the floor while fellow newcomer Kelly Nabong also stepped up, grabbing 11 boards on top of six markers.
“It’s unusual to have a rookie dictate our effort level, but we’re fortunate to draft Cliff Hodge,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. “We thought in the beginning, he’s there to provide us excitement and do the dirty work, but he’s been scoring as well and has been averaging close to 20 points in his first two games. It’s a good relief to have him.”
Hodge and Nabong, two hardworking forwards, provided plenty of the energy and rebounding that the team needed after losing stalwart Asi Taulava before the start of the season.
“We’re playing center by committee in the absence of Asi,” said Gregorio. “Sometimes it’s Jay-R Reyes, sometimes it’s Carlo Sharma or Nabong. It’s a good thing we were able to pull it through.”
Hodge pumped in 12 of his total output in the third period when the Bolts pulled away. The Bolts established their biggest lead, 63-48, on a putback by Sunday Salvacion with still 7:04 left in the third.
High-scoring guards Mac Cardona, Ronjay Buenafe and Sol Mercado took the backseat for the streaking Hodge.
Cardona made up for his sub-par performance against Talk ‘N Text in their opener, tallying 16 points. Buenafe contributed 13 while Mercado and Sunday Salvacion added 10 apiece for the Bolts, who played minus injured starting guard Chris Ross.
“He had a tear in his right meniscus, so he’s day-to-day right now. Hopefully, he will recover sooner or later. The good thing is no surgeries needed. Just rehab. He wants to play, but if his future is in jeopardy, we’re not risking it,” added Gregorio.
The scores:
MERALCO (93) – Hodge 20, Cardona 16, Buenafe 13, Mercado 10, Salvacion 10, Hugnatan 8, Nabong 6, Reyes 4, Borboran 2, Sharma 2, Artadi 2, Belencion 0.
ALASKA (86) – Baguio 19, Thoss 17, Espinas 15, Casio 12, Hontiveros 9, Baracael 4, Bugia 4, Dela Cruz 4, Reyes 2, Jazul 0, Eman 0, Cablay 0, Belasco 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 50-44, 76-64, 93-86.
source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rookie-hodge-leads-meralco-to-win-over-alaska
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