THE DREAM LEAGUE
Asian American / Open Basketball Leagues
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2006_Summer/Fall NL (NYC) |
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Hu is Hu-ge | |
| The Cruisers’ Tony Hu has been as under the radar as possible this season for a 6’4” 225 pound power forward one-time MVP who served in Iraq. Suffering through a shoulder injury that bothered him for much of this season, Hu has taken a backseat to CB Liu and George Chan, often deferring to them to carry the scoring and rebound load respectively – something he has been used to leading the team in over the years. Well, after a brilliant workhorse 20 point, 15 rebound effort in Sunday’s big 54-46 win over a game Da Bien, it seems Hu is back.
Chan had a tough 13 and 14, but as CB was held to just 10 points (half of what he’s been scoring this season), Hu stepped it up in the 2nd half, scoring 16 of his 20, including two big jumpers down the stretch that essentially sealed the game. Shawn De Los Reyes came out gunning for Da Bien, scoring 15 1st half points in leading his team to a 31-27 halftime lead as his one-time partner in crime Kevin Park watched in civvies from the stands. (KP just returned from a leave of absence and should be ready to return to the team for next season.) Da Bien looked solid despite foul trouble for Kevin Chin. The reigning MVP had the eye of the tiger going in a seemingly signature game. Then halftime came, the mojo was sucked out of De Los Reyes – and passed onto Hu. SDR took a mere 2 shots in the 2nd half, only scored 1 point, and Hu became the Hu of old with 60% of his team’s points. Hu’s 22 attempts suggest that he was feeling frisky today and ready to lead again. His return to form couldn’t have come at a better time as the top-seed now advance onto the semifinals to take on the run n gun Renegades on Wednesday night. Da Bien, the 4th seed, who sorely missed marksman Virgilio Borbo (not a good day to be absent) will meet 5th seed Gen X before the Homecrest-Renegade game on Wednesday as well. We’re not calling anything just yet, but from the way it looks, depending on who wins and loses and who loses and wins, Homecrest-Da Bien have a pretty decent shot at meeting each other again before all’s said and done this season. Da Bien wants another shot. Homecrest will welcome it. Who will be ready? Yes, Hu will be ready. |
