Naipamalas ni Cliff Hodge ang pinakamatikas – sa kasalukuyan – na kampanya sa PBA career para pamunuan ang Meralco sa ‘giant killing’ kontra No. 1 seed Talk ‘N Text Katropa, 94-88, sa Game 4 ng kanilang best-of-five semifinal duel Lunes ng gabi sa OPPO-PBA Governor’s Cup sa Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Nakumpleto ng Bolts ang dominasyon para makausad sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa championship series.
Nagposte si Hodge ng kanyang career-high 32 puntos upang ihatid ang Bolts sa unang pagkakataon sa Finals magmula ng lumahok sa liga noong 2010.
“I’m really happy for the team, for the players. When you go to work everyday with your guys and they show good attitudes, they work hard, they put in the extra work, and most importantly, they try to embrace the game plan, they try to embrace the strategies that you come up with, then they try to execute those strategies,” pahayag ni Meralco coach Norman Black.
May cash incentives din; Karl Eldrew Yulo, tumanggap ng ₱500K mula kay Chavit!
Hindi sinasadya, si Black ang gumabay sa Katropa sa kampeonato noong 2013 Philippine Cup.
“I think we’ve come a long way since the first conference, where we really were pretty bad and I’m happy to finish the year on a good note. Obviously, it’s not over yet, we still have a championship series to play but I cannot be more proud of my players tonight for the effort they put in, and I’m really happy for the Meralco community.
Basically, we practice within the compound so we see the employees and the security guards and everybody’s who’s in that compound every single day, and I’m sure they’re happy for the players and I just thank them for their support,” ayon pa kay Black.
Halos mag-isang binuhat ni Jayson Castro ang Katropa, ngunit hindi sapat ang kanyang lakas para malabanan ang Bolts.
“This is just a great feeling. I entered Meralco a couple of years ago and actually came from Talk ‘N Text. I entered Meralco with the idea that hopefully, we can build the program up and have the program become successful and we knew it will take some time,” sambit ni Black. (Marivic Awitan)
