PBA wRap: Hodge, Chan dish out stellar games

MANILA, Philippines – The second week of the PBA saw some players setting new career highs and young guys making a name for themselves after players from Gilas 2.0 shined in the first week.

It also saw the return of coach Norman Black in the sidelines as chief strategist, this time, for the formidable Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

THE RUNDOWN

Air 21 vs Global Port

Coach Franz Pumaren finally gets his first win in the PBA Philippine Cup after beating new team Global Port Batang Pier, 88-81. The team, then known as Shopinas.com, failed to win a single game in last year’s All-Filipino tourney.

Global Port’s Gary David bounced back from his 9-point outing last time out dropping 17 points. Rookie Jason Deutchman also had an impressive showing with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

Best Player: Yousef Taha (4 pts, 12 rebs, 2 asts, 3 stls)
Rookie center Yousef Taha became the first freshman in the 2012 draft class to be named player of the game. His hustle and rebounding helped Air21 notch the win.

Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

Ginebra veterans Mark Caguioa, LA Tenorio, and Kerby Raymundo hit key baskets in the 4th quarter in a tight contest against Governor’s Cup champs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 98-94

Rain or Shine, paced by lefty gunner Jeffrei Chan who collected 25 points, held a 1-point lead, 94-93, late in the game before a questionable foul was called on Gabe Norwood in a loose ball play. The referee who called the foul was later suspended by the PBA.

Best Player: Mark Caguioa (22 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls, 4/5 3-PT FG)
The reigning MVP hit missed only once from three-point territory and hit timely baskets in the end-game to help his team get its second-straight win.

Meralco vs Alaska

The Meralco Bolts banked on a strong 3rd quarter performance to eventually win the game against struggling Alaska Aces, 93-86.

Alaska’s new recruit JVee Casio had a better performance compared to his debut with the team. He finished the game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.

Best Player: Cliff Hodge (20 points, 11 rebounds, 1 stl, 2 blks)
The energetic rookie did more than hustle and grab rebounds leading his team in the points department taking over from scoring guards Mark Cardona, Sol Mercado, and Ronjay Buenafe.

Barako Bull vs Petron

The Petron Blaze Boosters put the pedal to the metal running and gunning their way to a 98-89 victory over Barako Bull. Lost in the running game is top overall pick June Mar Fajardo who finished the game with only 3 points to go with 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.

Petron may have won but highlight of the game goes to center Mick Pennisi. Showing he can do more than just flop, Pennisi drove to the basket after getting his own miss and finished a wrap around layup despite getting fouled.

Best player: Chris Lutz (22 pts, 3 rebs, 6 asts, 1 stl)
The Fil-Am who played for Gilas under Rajko Toroman thrived in the open court style of play leading all scorers with 22 points.

Talk ‘N Text vs Global Port

Coach Norman Black went back to work right after ending his coaching stint in the UAAP winning 5 consecutive titles for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. His first win back in the PBA as a head coach was a hard-fought 108-104 victory over Global Port Batang Pier.

Gary David missed the game due to a swollen left knee. Rookie Vic Manuel picked up his scoring finishing with 21 points to go with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Willie Miller continued to carry the scoring chores but his team has yet to win a single game.

Best Player: Jayson Castro (30 pts, 4 rebs, 1 ast)
No longer bothered by injury, The Blur led all scorers with 30 points. Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier added 19 points apiece for Talk ‘N Text

Rain or Shine vs Air21

Rain or Shine outlasted Air 21, 99-98, in a tightly contested ball game that needed an extra period to decide the final outcome. The painters dedicated the game to late assistant coach Roehl Nadurata who died Tuesday, October 9, 2012 due to lung cancer.

John Wilson continued to play well for his new team finishing with a new career-high, 21 points, after averaging 17 in his first 2 games. KG Canaleta, who came from Ginebra along with Wilson, has also been a consistent contributor for the Express averaging 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in his first 3 games.

Best Player: Jeffrei Chan (35 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts)
The left-handed gunner was on target all-night long shooting 78.5% from the field (11/14) and 80% from downtown (4.5) for a career-high 35 points.

Ginebra vs Meralco

Meralco Bolts came back from an early 16-point deficit to to beat Ginebra, 95-88. Mac Cardona led the bolts in scoring with 21 points.

Rookie Chris Ellis started early and recorded his career-high 19 points but it wasn’t enough to help Ginebra get the win.

Clifford Hodge (13 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls, 4 blks)
The rookie from Hawaii Pacific U provides another electrifying performance and a key stop late in the game to suck the life out of Ginebra.

RAPPLER’S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Clifford Hodge
vs Alaska (20 points, 11 rebounds, 1 stl, 2 blks)
vs Ginebra (13 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls, 4 blks)
The 4th overall pick in the 2012 PBA draft is making a strong case to be the rookie of the year delivering strong performance after strong performance — he looks like he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Runners-up:

• Yousef Taha vs Global Port (4 pts, 12 rebs, 2 asts, 3 stls)
• Jason Deutchman vs Air21 (14 pts, 6 rebs, 1 ast)
• Vic Manuel vs Talk ‘N Text ( 21 pts, 5 rebs, 1 ast, 1 blk)

WHO TO WATCH OUT FOR?

Rabeh Al Hussaini vs Talk ‘N Text (17 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk)
The former UAAP MVP was benched in their game against Air21, but was heavily used and got several touches in their game against Talk ‘N Text. Owner Mikee Romero did say that Al-Hussaini along with David and Miller will be the cornerstones of his team. Look for him to slowly develop into a real force in the paint.

John Wilson
vs Global Port (17 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 1 blk)
vs Rain or Shine (21 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls)
In the 2011 Philippine Cup, Wilson was given the minutes to really shine in Ginebra but he botched the opportunity and was relegated to warming the bench in the next two conferences. This time around, he’s making good on his new opportunity leading Air21 in scoring with 18.3 points per game.

Visit Rappler again next week for a rundown of the PBA games that you may have missed. – Rappler.com