Meralco coach Norman Black called Cliff Hodge "the Bionic Man."
It was a fitting compliment for Hodge as he shook off a hard fall late in regulation play and ignited Meralco's breakaway in extra time en route to the series-tying 124-117 win over TNT Tropang Giga Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo
"It takes a lot to keep him down," said Black of his bull-strong forward who was a big key in the victory that tied at one-game apiece the Meralco-TNT side of the PBA Governors' Cup Final Four.
Action swings over to the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday with the Bolts and the Tropang Giga fighting for the pivotal 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
After the fall that saw his head bounce off the floor, Hodge took just a few moment to get back on his feet.
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And as the game went into overtime on the last of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's 15 free-throw conversions, Hodge stayed in the battle and helped the Bolts go ahead with back-to-back baskets plus a block on Calvin Oftana.
Then at 116-114, Aaron Black took over, scoring three successive baskets, and the Bolts went on to avenge their shattering 110-80 loss in the series opener.
Black finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds, Hodge ended up with 15 markers and nine boards while KJ McDaniels had his monstrous game with 39 points and 20 rebounds.
Allein Maliksi (11 points) and Bong Quinto (11) played their part as the Bolts got back on track in their bid for another finals stint in the season-ending tourney.
The Bolts survived a toe-to-toe fight even with Chris Newsome was clipped once again by the Tropa, held down to just five markers.
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The Meralco top gun was scoreless through the first three quarters.
Meralco actually enjoyed a 12-point spread in the first half but TNT got into the fight largely behind Hollis-Jefferson and Mikey Williams who combined for 56 points.
Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple-double with 15 rebounds and nine assists, but his crucial missed free throws in the crunch stymied their bid.
He had two clanked charities in the last 21 seconds. (SB)
The Scores:
Meralco 124 - McDaniels 39, Black 28, Hodge 15, Maliksi 11, Quinto 11, Banchero 7, Newsome 5, Caram 3, Jose 3, Almazan 2.
TNT 117 - M.Williams 29, Hollis-Jefferson 27,Castro 17, Oftana 13, Pogoy 12, Chua 11, Erram 6, Marcelo 2, Khobuntin 0, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0.
Quarters: 35-30, 59-49, 86-86, 112-112, 124-117
