REYNEL Hugnatan is hoping Arinze Onuaku would be more aggressive on offense for Meralco starting in Game Two of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Alaska.
The veteran power forward registered 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, six boards, four assists, and only one turnover in 31 minutes as he carried most of the offensive load in Game One with the Bolts import getting most of the attention anew.
“Ang ganda ng depensa nila kaya ‘di kami nakapag-adjust, (pero) dapat si Arinze, mag-adjust din siya at maging agresibo sa offense,” Hugnatan said. “Dino-double kasi agad siya kaya dapat gumawa siya ng paraan para maka-score.”
If Onuaku, who only had 11 points on just eight attempts, can’t score off the double-team, the 6-foot-9 import should quickly find his waiting locals, according to Hugnatan.
“May double right away kaya dapat bitawan niya agad yung bola dahil open yung sa kabila,” Hugnatan said. “Minsan ginagawa niya, pero malaki si (Rob) Dozier eh. Natatabunan yung kailangan niya pasahan kaya dapat mag-adjust din.”
Nevertheless, Hugnatan vowed to continue his resurgence whether or not Onuaku gets back to his dominant ways.
“Sayang kasi nandito na kami,” the 37-year-old Hugnatan said. “Dapat ibuhos na namin yung dapat naming gawin. Sana maka-adjust kami sa Game Two.”
Onuaku, who did have 18 rebounds, two assists, and one steal against four turnovers and four fouls in 25 minutes, refused to grant an interview after the game.
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