The Meralco Bolts’ locals were misfiring in the first two games of the 2017 Governors’ Cup Finals, so in Game Three, all eyes were on them if they could regain their rhythm and help their team avoid being down 0-3 in the series.
That narrative was about to continue in Game Three, but all of a sudden, the Orangemen finally got the local support they have been yearning for the past games, and of all their players, it came from someone unexpected.
Reynel Hugnatan, who came off the bench, played arguably his best game in the conference and delivered greatly.
The 38-year-old took advantage of Ranidel De Ocampo’s exit due to a left calf injury in the game’s early-goings, scorching the outside with seven of his team’s 11 triples en route to 22 big points alongside five rebounds.
With his excellent showing, Hugnatan helped tow his team to a 94-81 win.
“Nung time na si Del yung nainjure, binigyan ako ng time ni coach,” said Hugnatan, who had played just a total of 12:35 minutes in the last two games, “Na-oopen ako, no choice ako. Kailangan ko tumira. Buti pumapasok naman.”
Even head coach Norman Black and teammate Allen Durham could not help but rave about the Bacolod native’s performance in the series-extending win.
“The game comes a lot easier if you’re making your outside shots. Today we did a good job of making our perimeter shots and a lot of credit goes to Reynel Hugnatan who stepped up and made a lot of threes for us today,” said Black.
“[And] with Ranidel going out, obviously he has to step up and take that position.
“He’s been doing that for me for the last three years so he’s been accustomed to doing that already,” continued the multi-titled tactician.
“Papa Rey, he’s a professional,” added the reigning Best Import.
“He knows he always gotta be ready, he knows he always gotta be ready to step up when his number’s called. And that’s what he showed tonight,” Durham shared.
The target on Hugnatan’s back has become bigger after Wednesday. He is fully aware of this as he knows how coach Tim Cone thinks, but he’ll just let everything fall where they may come Game Four on Friday.
“Alam naman natin si Coach Tim lahat ng scouting alam niya yan. Nanggaling na ‘ko sa kanya,” shared the six-foot-four stretched big man.
“Depende. Kami panoorin lang namin yung film bukas and we’ll see kung anong mangyayari.”
