JALEN Hudson was once a star player of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, the school popularly known from producing NBA superstar Lebron James.
It was through James’ former teammate and close friend Romeo Travis that Hudson eventually came to know about the PBA.
The TNT import got a taste of what the league is all about on Wednesday night and it was exactly how Travis, a former Best Import and PBA champion, described it to him.
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“I would say it’s a very physical league. You get up and down, it’s free-flowing, and I like the style of basketball,” said the 26-year-old Hudson.
But he did fit in right away as the Akron, Ohio native led the Tropang Giga to a 123-119 win over Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hudson finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the win that served as a fitting welcome for new TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.
The TNT import also shot six three-pointers, but was only 4-of-11 from the foul line in the only blow to an otherwise glowing stats line.
Hudson admitted he got a bit winded down the stretch.
“I see it as a little bit longer game that I’m used to, so I was kind of feeling my legs,” said Hudson, who played for a total of 41 minutes.
“But I was happy we got the win, so move on to the next one.”
And that next one for Hudson and the Tropang Giga will be against Michael Qualls and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.