PBA summons involved players, staff in Magnolia-Meralco altercation

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge said he merely wanted to stop a fast break after his flagrant foul on Magnolia forward Zavier Lucero sparked a bench-clearing incident.

Tensions rose after Hodge pulled off a move akin to a wrestling maneuver on Lucero with just over two minutes left in the Hotshots’ 117-92 blowout of defending champion Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 14.

Hodge lost the ball to Lucero then proceeded to grab the head of the sophomore standout with both hands on their way down.

“I don’t think so,” said Hodge when asked if he went overboard with his foul. “I was trying to stop the fast break layup. It is what it is. I’m not the ref so… the guys decided what it’s going to be, so it’s okay.”

Lucero confronted Hodge — an argument that ultimately led to the teams’ benches being cleared, with coaches and team officials also getting involved.

A fan video uploaded on Facebook showed Magnolia assistant coach Mon Jose walk up to Hodge near the officials’ table as they figured in a verbal spat, prompting players and coaches from both teams to intervene.

Meralco consultant Nenad Vucinic and Hotshots team manager Alvin Patrimonio also exchanged words, with the Serbian-Kiwi mentor pointing his finger at the retired PBA great.

“[T]hey were talking mess so I went there and asked what they wanted to do. And then I went back to my bench and then I looked back and they were still talking, so I went there and said what’s up,” said Hodge.

“I think one of their assistant coaches head-butted me in my face. Just part of the game, whatever. That was it and then I went back to the bench.”

Hodge said he has “nothing personal” against Lucero.

“Everything on the court stays on the court for me. So after the game, I just want to shake everybody’s hands and just say congratulations on the win. Basketball is basketball, off the court’s off the court,” Hodge said.

“That’s part of it. Cooler heads prevailed.”

Hodge, though, may face a harsher punishment aside from his flagrant foul as he and those involved in the altercation are set to be summoned by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

“We’ll investigate and I’ll talk to them,” said Marcial.

With the win, Magnolia stayed unbeaten in six games, while the Bolts fell to 3-5, a similar start to their All-Filipino title run last season. – Rappler.com