After finally breaking through in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, Cliff Hodge admitted Meralco’s first win in the series brought both relief and concern.
“It’s great, but it’s a little bitter sweet because our captain went down. I’m hoping it’s nothing serious, but we know that we want to get Newsome back and try and win the next one and even the series,” Hodge said following Meralco’s Game 3 victory over TNT Tropang 5G.
“It’s good to finally get a win against them. We haven’t won against them in a while, but it’s a great team, and I’m glad we got out with a victory.”
Down 0–2 entering the game, the Bolts leaned on discipline and defense to finally crack TNT, a contrast Hodge pointed out when asked what changed from the first two outings.
“I feel like we just followed our game plan, played good defense, tried to limit their offensive guys a little bit better than we did in the first two games,” he said.
“But they’re good. They’re a good team, so I know that they’re going to come back and be ready for us next game. We just got to watch the tape and see what we did right and see what we did wrong.”
With three games now in the books, familiarity between the two sides is no longer an issue. For Hodge, evening the series on Sunday will come down to effort and urgency.
“It would take a lot of hard work, determination, and to be a little bit hungrier than them,” he said.
“I know they have a lead, but we would like to even the series and move on to the finals. They haven’t been there in a year, so that would be great, but it starts with one of the next game.”
Hodge also expects the intensity to ramp up further as the series deepens.
“Very physical game. But yeah, it’s going to be a great game for the fans. For sure,” he said. “We’ll be ready for the next one.”
As for a brief physical exchange with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser during the game, Hodge brushed it aside.
“Oh, nothing. He went for a box out and elbowed me. Part of the game. I’m not worried about it. We talked about it on the court. We’re good. Nothing. Just part of the game.”
With momentum finally on their side, Meralco now heads into Game 4 knowing the door to leveling the series is open but only if they match TNT’s physicality and hunger once more. (JNV)
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