BIG EXPLOSION FROM ‘H-BOMB’ Player Of The Week

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:50 pm

BIG EXPLOSION FROM ‘H-BOMB’

Published on March 19, 2012

THOSE who believe Rudy Hatfield is in the twilight of his career have another think coming.

The 34-year-old "H-Bomb" was at his best yet in leading Barangay Ginebra to a crucial PBA
Commissioner's Cup win that earned for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors
for the period March 12 to 18.

The indefatigable power forward notched a new career-high 30 points and added 14 rebounds, two
assists, as many steals and a block in the Kings' 94-91 overtime victory over Talk N Text last
Sunday.

More important for coach Siot Tanquingcen, Hatfield's all-around performance was punctuated by a
high energy level on both ends of the floor that seemed to rub off on his teammates, enabling them
to snap out of back-to-back losses.

"That's what he brings," said Tanquingcen. "It's really hard to quantify, pero that is basically
what he brings. Medyo give and take, kasi shooting-wise, me mga ma-mi-miss siya. Pero energy-wise,
ang laki ng naibibigay niya."

The man who rejoined the team this conference after leaving it last season due to personal matters
actually shot better than most of all the other players fielded that night. He made 14 of 21 field
goal attempts.

Hatfield did miss a wide open three-pointer, but that hardly mattered as he scattered 13 of his
points in the fourth period, including his team's last five points in regulation, and added two in
the extension to break his old career-best 28 set with Tanduay in his 2000 rookie year.

The victory over the defending champion is also big for other reasons.

It jacked Ginebra's record to 4-3, moving it alongside Powerade for third-running spot and primed
the perennial crowd favorites up going into their remaining eliminations assignments against Barako
Bull and Air21.

Should the Kings win those, they have a shot at realizing a top two finish and nailing an automatic
semifinals berth.

For sure, Hatfield is going to play a major role in Ginebra's quest.

source PBA.PH