Onuaku has to assert himself more, says Hugnatan
Arinze Onuaku vs Alaska defender. PBA images
Though Arinze Onuaku put up his usual numbers – 11 points and 18 rebounds – on Monday, the rest of his Meralco teammates wants hulking import to be more aggressive for the remainder of the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Reynel Hugnatan said Onuaku has to do a better job in adapting to what the Alaska defense is giving him.
“Dapat si Arinze, mag-adjust din sya at maging agresibo sa offense,” the veteran forward said.
“Dino-double kasi agad sya kaya dapat gumawa sya ng paraan para maka-score.
Dapat bitawan nya agad yung bola dahil open yung sa kabila. Minsan ginagawa nya, pero malaki si (Rob) Dozier eh. Natatabunan yung kailangan nya pasahan kaya dapat mag-adjust din kami.”
But Hugnatan knows it’s not just Onuaku who has to do some tweaking with still a long series ahead of the Bolts.
“Ang ganda ng depensa nila kaya di kami nakapag-adjust,” he said.
Though Meralco shot a conference-best 56-percent from the field, it was its 22 turnovers which proved to be the undoing for the Bolts in the 97-94 loss.
“Ang dami lang ng turnover namin kaya medyo nung huli, di kami naka-adjust,” said Hugnatan.
One of those instances came at a crucial stretch, when Cliff Hodge was unable to receive a pass from Jimmy Alapag in the final 5.1 seconds of the game.
Hugnatan said that the whole team must feel that sense of urgency and not take this semifinals appearance, which had been a huge turnaround for Meralco, for granted.
“Sayang kasi nandito na kami. Dapat ibuhos na namin yung dapat naming gawin,” he said. “Sana maka-adjust kami sa Game 2.”
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