Okay, okay.
So much talk about Brownlee.
What about Cliff Hodge?
Hey, this guy is not in the same league as JB, right?
Well, he may not be but if you saw him stalk and hound the prolific Ginebra import all throughout Game 1, he deserves mention, at the least.
Hodge was a special mention in my column here last Tuesday because I knew coach Norman Black would assign his prized banger to give JB a hard time.
And he did. Not only that. To add insult to injury, the 6’6” power forward threw in 17 pts, (tipping in a follow-up, cutting inside for a lay-up and surprised everyone with an energy-sapping 3-pointer) to help the Bolts secure a convincing 104-91 win Wednesday.
Hodge was outstanding. He is Ginebra’s problem not Tony Bishop.
Despite 27 markers, Brownlee was visibly bothered by Hodge’s tough “D” and his Gins teammates’ mediocre outside shooting in the fourth quarter.
LA Tenorio was a picture of dejection, contributing just 5 measly pts. Although Scottie Thompson and Christian Standhardinger played consistently well.
Very obviously, coach Tim Cone missed Japeth Aguilar’s rebounding and fearful blocking prowess.
Compared to the team chemistry Meralco displayed all throughout from the prelims to this finals series, Brgy. Ginebra was scratching for the right combination.
I think Cone couldn’t help but settle in rotating just 8 of his most reliable men.
Past PBA coaches I knew and covered during the league’s early years, benched half of their squads in favor of just 8 players.
As you witnessed in the opening battle, those who subbed from the bench were toyed with by even the Bolts second team.
In the last two minutes, the Bolts elected to waste the 24-second clock and did not bother to shoot because mathematically, Meralc’s eleven point lead was adequate to bail them out of trouble.
You could hear the proverbial pin drop at the MOA as hordes of fanatical Ginebra fans were grievously silenced.
Meralco proved that it is not only a bill collector as Pinoys know but also an efficient energy distributor with that clinical operation. Analyze the respective quarter scoring: Ginebra – Meralco, 23-25; 19-28; 18-25; 31-26).
Like a chess grandmaster, Black prepared diligently for an opening repertoire, employing a solid Ruy Lopez against Cone’s fighting Sicilian Defense.
What’s next?
Well, honestly I don’t know. But healthy or not, Tim must call in Japeth Aguilar. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
