Challenge for Hudson

UTSUNOMIYA – Before TNT went out to play the Seoul SK Knights in the EASL Champions Week, assistant coach Josh Reyes tossed a challenge to import Jalen Hudson in the locker room at the Nikkan Arena in this Japanese city last Friday. “You know what they’re saying about you?” asked Reyes, looking at Hudson. “No idea,” he replied. “They’re saying you don’t play defense so I’ll give you a chance to prove them wrong,” said Reyes. “You’re defending No. 5 (Sun Hyung Kim) from the start. This could be your last game with TNT.  Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Kim, 34, is a 6-2 guard who played on the Korean national team that took gold in the 2014 Asian Games. He saw action in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.  This season, Kim is averaging 15.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 30.2 minutes in the Korean league. In Seoul’s first Champions Week game, Kim fired 22 points and dished out seven dimes in 33:28 minutes as the Knights came back from 18 down to stun Bay Area, 92-84.

Hudson, 26, wasn’t supposed to play for TNT in this 10-game, five-day joust.  He was TNT’s original import in the PBA Governors’ Cup but after six games, was replaced by six-year NBA veteran Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said a working or entertainer’s visa couldn’t be processed in time for Hollis-Jefferson who joined the team here on a tourist pass. “I think they’re scared of me,” laughed Hollis-Jefferson when asked why he couldn’t suit up. “I’ve played in Korea so I know the guys.  My import partner was Ricardo Ratliffe.”

Hudson took his role as Kim’s primary defender seriously. In the first quarter, Kim got away with six points but in the second, bled for two. He eventually wound up with 21. Hudson scored 14 in his farewell appearance as Seoul eliminated TNT, 80-69. TNT finished last in Group B with a 0-2 record.  Seoul posted a 2-0 mark and will play in the championship game for the $250,000 first prize in Okinawa tonight. The Tropa will return home tomorrow.

Lastimosa said he gave Reyes a free rein to call the shots against Seoul.  From losing to Utsunomiya by 33 points last Wednesday, TNT rebounded and played tough in bowing to Seoul. The game had 30 lead changes and 11 ties with TNT leading 14:36 minutes or 35 percent of the way.  Seoul was ahead by only two entering the fourth quarter then outscored TNT, 23-14 in the last 10 minutes. TNT’s second import Daniel Ochefu bounced back from a listless showing against Utsunomiya with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The problem was down the stretch, Seoul’s Leon Williams and Jameel Warney were unstoppable. Williams came away with 20 points and 21 rebounds while Warney had 21 points and 19 rebounds. Although in Korea, teams are allowed to play only one import at a time, two reinforcements practice together and they alternate in a game. In the PBA, teams bring in just one import. Ochefu landed over a week ago to practice with TNT and there wasn’t enough time to familiarize. It’s a problem that PBA teams will face when they see action in the EASL’s inaugural home-and-away season starting in October.