PBA: Hodge hands Meralco its first victory of the season

By CARLO PAMINTUAN, GMA News

Published October 10, 2012 7:28pm

Rookie Cliff Hodge dropped 20 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds along with two blocks to give the Meralco Bolts its first victory of the season against the Alaska Aces, 93-86, at the Araneta Coliseum on Wendesday.

The 6'5" forward was selected fourth overall in the 2012 rookie draft by the Meralco Bolts because of his intensity on the floor, but his performance against the Alaska Aces showed that he's capable of contributing more than just energy for his team.

“It’s rare that a rookie will lead the team in effort,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio. “When we drafted him, I thought he’s just a defensive player, a rebounder, a loose ball diver, but in two games he has averaged close to 20 points.”

Hodge starred in a definitive third quarter run that broke the game wide open for the Bolts. He scored 12 points in the period, including a four-point play and a buzzer-beater. The former NLEX Road Warrior in the PBA-DL converted on a high 60% shooting from the two-point range to overshadow a mediocre 2/6 clip from the free throw line.

Mac Cardona (center) drives between JVee Casio (left) and Dondon Hontiveros (right). "Captain Hook" added 16 points in support of Hodge. KC Cruz

Sonny Thoss and JVee Casio started well for Alaska as they combined for 12 points in the first quarter, while Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion kept Meralco in pace, scoring 11 together to enter the second period deadlocked at 24.

Another Meralco rookie, big manKelly Nabong, was the story come the second quarter. The second round selection started with an assist to Mark Borboran, followed by two baskets of his own. Nabong, the 17th overall pick finished with six points while also getting 11 big rebounds.

“Right now we are playing center by committee,” explained Gregorio. “Sometimes it’s Jay-R [Reyes], sometimes it’s Kelly, and sometimes it’s Carlo [Sharma]," he added, after he was asked post-game about how much they missed center Asi Taulava, who chose to sign with the San Miguel Beermen in the ABL, instead of renewing his contract with the Bolts.

Meralco’s defense tightened up in the third quarter and the Bolts went predominantly to Hodge at the top of the key, but a triple by Cyrus Baguio and jumpers from Thoss and Paolo Bugia sliced Meralco’s lead to 8, 63-55.

Things got heated in the fourth quarter when Gabby Espinas was called for an offensive foul and a technical foul after he threw a forearm aimed at Hodge’s face. Ronjay Buenafe calmly sank a free-throw, followed by a jumper from Sol Mercado to extend their lead to 14, 88-74.

Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, and Jayvee Casio brought the lead down to eight late, before Hodge hit another one of his drives to secure the win.

This was the second straight game where Meralco point guard Chris Ross didn’t play. “He has a tear in his right meniscus, he is day-to-day right now. Hopefully he comes back sooner rather than later.” Gregorio said. Mark Cardona added 16 while Ronjay Buenafe had 13, as Sol Mercado and Sunday Salvacion added ten each. Baguio, Sonny Thoss, and Gabby Espinas combined for 51 points, while Casio added 12 for the Aces.

With the defeat, the Aces now find themselves in a 0-2 hole after a forgettable game against the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Alaska did exceptionally well in the pre-season, but that success has not translated to a win in the season thus far. They now patiently await the arrival of Calvin Abueva who will be finishing up his duties as a San Sebastian Stag in a couple of weeks.

“The key was our defense. I thought if we could limit Alaska to just 20 per quarter, we will be fine,” Gregorio said after the game. He also added that he now has one more weapon to fire up his team when they are playing well. “Sinasabihan ko sila na mahiya naman kay Cliff [Hodge]. Nakikita naman nila na nagpapakamatay siya para sa bola kaya dapat sila rin.” - RAF, GMA News 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. Quarter scoring: 24-24, 50-44, 76-64, 93-86

Tags: pbaseason38, meralcobolts, alaskaaces, cliffhodge