Meralco forward Cliff Hodge insists he didn’t go overboard on his hard foul on Magnolia winger Zav Lucero late in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup encounter Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“I don’t think so. I was trying to stop a fastbreak layup. It is what it is,” Hodge said after the defending champions suffered a 92-117 defeat against the unbeaten Hotshots for a two-game slide.

Hodge made a dangerous tackle on Lucero with 2:16 left in the ballgame that was already decided with Magnolia leading by a mile. He dragged the 25-year-old player by the neck down to the floor in a scramble for the loose ball at midcourt.

Hodge was whistled for a flagrant foul penalty 1.

His actions — intentional or not — will be reviewed thoroughly by the league’s technical committee.

Hodge will also need to explain his side after being summoned by the PBA Commissioner’s Office today.

Lucero and Hodge figured in a heated exchange following the hard tackle that spilled over into the sidelines in front of the officials table, involving players and coaches from both sides.

Marcial and other league officials intervened to pacify the situation and prevent it from escalating further. Lucero and Meralco captain Raymond Almazan received technical fouls for verbal altercations.

Other persons involved in the bench-clearing incident will also be summoned.

“The technical committee is already looking at it. We’ve summoned those involved,” Marcial said.

Lucero, who was livid following the wrestling-like stunner and did not finish the game after being subbed out, wants the league to address the “dirty play.”

However, Hodge thought it was all part of the game.

“I felt that it was a foul on Zav and then I just tried to make sure he didn’t get a fast break layup. And then they called a flagrant foul on me,” Hodge explained.

He added that he was already at their bench to sit the rest of the game but continued to hear words from the Magnolia side with Lucero taunting him. The Season 48 Defensive Player of the Year rushed back to the officials table as chaos ensued. Mark Escarlote

“They (Hotshots) were talking mess so I just go and asked them what they wanted to do. And then I go back to my bench and looked back and they’re still talking. So, I said, ‘What’s up?’” Hodge said.

The 37-year-old veteran claimed that a Magnolia assistant coach headbutted him during the commotion, leaving him with a bruise on his left eye.

“I think one of their assistant coach headbutted me in my face. I guess it’s part of the game or whatever,” he added.

Hodge and Lucero didn’t get a chance to talk things over after the incident.

“Nah, he didn’t shake hands. They all went to the locker room,” Hodge said.

“I hope he didn’t take it personally. Nothing personal.”