Hodge regrets hard foul on Lucero

An apologetic Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge owned up to his actions, which resulted in a hefty fine and a one-game suspension, as he took the time to reflect and learn from his mistakes.

The forward returned to play after serving his sanction and helped the defending champions Bolts connect a second straight win at the expense of NLEX, 108-92, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Hodge had to sit out Meralco’s rout of Blackwater last Wednesday to serve his penalty for his dangerous hard foul on Magnolia’s Zav Lucero two weeks ago.

“It’s good to be back. Of course, you don’t want to get suspended for any extra-curricular activity,” Hodge, who had to pay a P100,000 after pulling Lucero down by the neck in a loose ball scramble with the Hotshots already leading the Bolts by a mile in the final 2:16 of game last 14 May at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The defensive-minded 37-year-old hustle player contributed 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 39 minutes of play.

“I’ve served my suspension. It kinda let me reflect on being a better role model to everyone. I tried my best today and I think I did better this time around. It’s good to come out and play,” Hodge added.

Meralco improved to a 5-5 win-loss record and boosted its chances of securing a playoffs berth while ending the Road Warriors’ hot six-game winning streak.

Hodge was just glad to be back after serving his first-ever suspension in his 12-year PBA career.

“I just played as hard as I could trying to make up for not being there. You never want to miss a game especially if it is your own fault. I learned a lot and hopefully, it doesn’t happen again in my career,” he said.

It wasn’t the first time Hodge got in trouble because of his physicality. In 2014, he was fined P20,000 after hitting then-Rain or Shine center and now Bolts team captain Raymond Almazan with a closed-fist.

“It is my first time to get suspended in my whole career which was kind of a crazy, 12 years in the league. But again, I hope it never happens again,” Hodge added.

Hodge has yet to personally apologize to Lucero about the incident, but has extended the olive branch via social media.

“I messaged him on Instagram and apologized personally and that there was no hard feelings and any personal thing. It wasn’t supposed to happen, and I told him that it’s my fault,” he said.