THERE’s no better feeling for Cliff Hodge than playing again in the company of the team that has been home for him for the past 12 years.
The veteran forward suited up for Meralco on Sunday night in the PBA Philippine Cup after serving his one-game suspension for the dangerous tackle he made against Magnolia big Zavier Lucero.
Hodge was behaved and played his usual defensive-minded game against NLEX, helping the the Bolts secure a 108-92 win and back in serious contention for a berth in the playoffs.
COLUMN: Lucero hopes Hodge takes 'full accountability for his actions'
The 37-year-old Fil-Am finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the Bolts’ second straight win that put them back at .500 on a 5-5 win-loss mark.
“It’s good to be back. Of course, you don’t want to get suspended for any extra-curricular activity,” said Hodge, who was meted a one-game suspension and a P100,000 fine for the episode with Lucero during the Magnolia-Meralco tussle two weeks ago.
It’s the first time Hodge was suspended his entire 12-year PBA career with the Bolts. The bruiser was fined P20,000 back in a 2014 game against Rain or Shine for a 'closed-fist hit on Raymond Almazan, but doesn't remember ever being suspended.
He admitted planning to go to watch the Bolts’ game against the Blackwater Bossing while suspended, but was told of the league rule that a suspended player is not allowed to hang around the playing venue.
But in a way, Hodge said his absence served him in good stead.
Lessons learned for Hodge
“It kind of let me reflect about being a role model to everyone, and I know I got to control my emotions and try my best today to get a win,” he said.
“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.”
Hodge said he hasn’t talked personally to Lucero about the incident, but added he personally messaged the Magnolia sophomore in his Instagram account to say his apology.
“I apologized personally and that there was no hard feelings and any personal thing,” said Hodge. “It wasn’t supposed to happen and I told him that.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
