TNT import Jalen Hudson. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Jalen Hudson muffed only three shots in his team-best 36-point performance in TNT’s 131-109 blowout of Terrafirma on Saturday night.
It was a great encore for the American import, who was coming off a 56-point explosion during the win over Converge just two nights ago.
“I just wanted to come out here and be aggressive,” he told reporters on the way out of Mall of Asia Arena, shortly after helping the Tropang Giga to a 5-1 start to the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I know that this game, if we played around, (the Dyip) could stay in the game. I just wanted to do my part so the rest of the guys would follow.”
It sure was the case for the TNT as four other players—including Mikey Williams—wound up with double-digits in a win that extended the club’s mastery of the Terrafirma to 15 meetings.
“I made an emphasis on getting aggressive, getting the guys involved—and (this) was just kind of the outcome,” Hudson said.
Hudson’s scoring feat on Saturday was actually less about how efficiently he got to shooting 12-for-15, but more about how easily he rebounded from just a forgettable production during the win against Magnolia last week.
It could be recalled that he only had 14 points during that contest.
“I just thought that was a really low-scoring game,” Hudson explained. “A couple of other guys had it going, and I try to be an unselfish player. It’s about the team—they’re scoring, we’re winning then that’s what it’s about.”
Save for that game against the Hotshots, Hudson has actually been steady for the perennial contenders, who are now sitting on solo third in the race.