Converge FiberXers fans must be having Kylor Kelley nightmares. That’s after import Jalen Hudson scored just 2 points in the team’s close 105‑103 win over the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Hudson, who once scored 56 points against this very same Converge squad in his first tour of duty in the PBA for the TNT Tropang 5G, was a nonfactor against Terrafirma. He shot just 1‑for‑14 overall and missed all 6 of his three‑point attempts.
Kelley, of course, was the FiberXers’ reinforcement in the Commissioner’s Cup. He posted big rebounding numbers and protected the rim on defense but gave Converge little in the way of offense. On Wednesday, Jalen Hudson looked like Kylor Kelley, so it would not be a surprise if Converge fans started to worry.
Juan Gomez de Liaño Backs Jalen Hudson
As far as Converge main man Juan Gomez de Liaño is concerned, there is no need to worry about Jalen Hudson, whom he describes as a professional and a great leader. Gomez de Liaño, who had 19 points and 2 assists against Terrafirma, is so confident in Hudson that he believes he will bounce back right away.
“One bad game doesn’t define a person. J Huddy [Jalen Hudson] is a professional,” Gomez de Liaño told reporters after the game. “He’s a great leader, he’s very vocal, he knows how to get along with his teammates. And he’s adapted pretty well to the team system and especially the Pinoy style of basketball.”
“He just had an off night, and I’m 100% sure he’s going to bounce back, and he’s gonna do damage for the upcoming games. I have a lot of confidence in that guy.”
Converge Returns to Action
Hudson will not need to wait long to bounce back as Converge will return to action on Friday. The FiberXers will look to improve to 3‑0 when they take on the winless Macau Giant Pandas at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
And if Gomez de Liaño is right in his assessment, Jalen Hudson could be up for a breakout game.
