Hodge tows NLEX to early Foundation Cup lead sans stars

Cliff Hodge stepped up in the absence of two of NLEX's key players tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Road Warriors' 77-63 crushing of RnW Pacific Pipes in Thursday's PBA D-League Foundation Cup action at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

 

Hodge keyed two-time NLEX's fourth-quarter run to stave off RnW Pacific Pipes' comeback bid and claim the early lead in the standings with a 2-0 record.

 

The Road Warriors played minus top stars Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang, who were with the San Sebastian College Stags for an invitational tournament in Davao.

 

"That's 30 points that we lost right there with Calvin and Ian not with the team," said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. "But the players really came to play even though they were not with the team."

Hodge's alley-oop dunk finally silenced RnW Pacific Pipes as the Road Warriors erected a 71-56 advantage with four minutes left in the game.  

Garvo Lanete had 15 points and Woody Co added nine markers including a rare four-point play that had the Road Warriors enjoying a 63-50 spread early in the fourth period.

 

A near fight broke out in the second quarter when Barnett Rogado was slapped with a flagrant foul 2. He and Lanete were needed to be separated with the former being ejected in the game. — JVP, GMA News Scores: